Penarol kicked off the Uruguayan Clausura Championship with a 2-1 victory over Central Espanol at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo. While Defensor Sporting Thrashed Rampla Juniors 6-1.

Penarol, who did poorly during the preseason competitions, where they lost twice against bitter rivals Nacional, needed a good victory to give their fans some security this season.

They started well, creating several good opportunities to go ahead inside the first twenty minutes of the match, but lacked authority when it came to finishing.

Finally, after lots of heavy pressure, Jose Maria Franco put them ahead, with a good finish, to settle some nerves.

But only four minutes later Central drew level, with a well executed penalty from Abel Hernandez.

After the break Penarol dominated, and went ahead for the second time, with a clinical finish from former Inter Milan striker Antonio Pacheco.

Penarol held onto their narrow victory, and showed signs that suggest that they could be a force this season.

Juventud de las Piedras fought back from a goal down to defeat Danubio 2-1 at the Jardines del Hipodromo stadium in Montevideo.

Cristian Bardaro put Danubio ahead in the 30th minute, while Pablo Difiori equalized for Juventud in the 67th minute. Gaston Machado scored Juventud's winner with only three minutes remaining on the clock.

Uruguayan champions Defensor Sporting recorded a sensational 6-1 victory over Rampla Juniors away in Cerro.

But they had to wait until the 53rd minute until Sebastian Fernandez put them ahead. Their other goals were scored by Miguel Amado (60'), Fernandez's second (69'), Jairo Castillo (78'), Tabare Viudez (81'), and William Ferreira (86'). While Oscar Dastes scored Rampla's only goal in the 64th minute.

River Plate beat Liverpool 2-0 in Belvedere, with goals from Jonathan Urretaviscaya (46') and Diego Silva (59').