Ecuadorian side Liga Deportiva Universitaria sprung a surprise in the first-leg of the Recopa Sudamericana final.

They beat 10-Internacional 1-0 in Porto Alegre thanks to Claudio Bieler`s 56th-minute strike.

Christian Lara's incisive run down the left saw him find Bieler, who found the back of the net to settle the encounter early in the second-half.

The hosts were unable to seriously threaten Deportiva keeper Alexander Dominguez and the closest they came was when Argentinian play-maker Andres D'Alessandro fired a free-kick that flew narrowly over. Defender Bolivar was sent off following a poor challenge on Enrique Vera and will now be suspended for the second leg.

"I'm not surprised that we won because Liga have very good players and we have already showed our ability by winning the Copa Libertadores` title," midfielder Neicer Reasco said.

"We worked hard to earn this result and now we will try to clinch the title at home."

The return takes place at Casablanca stadium in Quito on July 9.