“Lorenzo Melgarejo was involved in a notable incident just before the half-time whistle, providing one of the few moments of genuine drama in an otherwise subdued opening 45 minutes.”
“Just 60 seconds after Amin Molinas and Estiven Villalba were introduced from the bench, Juan Cuesta latched onto the opportunity to fire UCV into the lead. The substitutions had barely settled before Cuesta made it 0-1, a goal that rewarded UCV's patience and punished Libertad's inability to convert their dominance into goals.”
Pivotal“Lautaro Morales was booked for time wasting, a telling sign that UCV were now content to see out the result and frustrate a Libertad side throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser.”
“Williams Velásquez was shown a yellow card for handball deep in stoppage time, summing up a frantic final spell as Libertad pressed desperately for an equaliser that never came.”
Libertad
UCVOutstanding performance
UCV•AttackerLibertad dominated this Copa Libertadores clash in almost every measurable way — 55% possession, 13 shots, 68 dangerous attacks and a 70-43 dominance index — yet walked away with nothing, undone by their own wastefulness and a single moment of UCV quality. The Paraguayan side created two big chances and missed both, a damning statistic that ultimately defined their evening. UCV, by contrast, were disciplined and pragmatic, sitting deep with 24 tackles to Libertad's eight and absorbing wave after wave of pressure before striking through Juan Cuesta in the 62nd minute — a goal that came almost immediately after a double substitution injected fresh energy into the Venezuelan side. The result is a damaging blow to Libertad's Copa Libertadores ambitions, while UCV claim a remarkable away victory that will do significant good for their confidence and group-stage standing.
How entertaining was this match?
Alfonso Simarra replaces Daniel De Sousa.
Charlis Ortiz comes on for Juan Cuesta.
Juan Cuesta takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jorge Recalde takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Lorenzo Melgarejo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Carlos Cermeno comes on for Kendrys Silva.
Lautaro MoralesYellow CardLautaro Morales receives a yellow card.
Rodrigo Villalba replaces Alexis Fretes.
Maicol Ruiz comes on for Francisco Sole.
Jorge Recalde comes on for Lucas Daniel Sanabria Britez.
Alan Benitez comes on for Ivan Rodrigo Ramirez Segovia.
Kendrys SilvaYellow CardKendrys Silva receives a yellow card.
Juan Cuesta takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Daniel De Sousa
Goal! Juan Cuesta scores, making it 0-1.
Amin Ezequiel Molinas Torres comes on for Federico Carrizo.
Estiven Villalba comes on for Ivan Franco.
Juan Camilo Zapata Londono takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Lorenzo Melgarejo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Lorenzo Melgarejo attempts a header but misses the shot.
Juan Camilo Zapata Londono takes a right-footed shot but misses.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
The VAR decision results in a disallowed goal due to offside.
Juan Camilo Zapata Londono takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Alexander Gonzalez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Juan Camilo Zapata Londono takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Lorenzo Melgarejo takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Vicente Rodriguez takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Vicente Rodriguez takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Alexis Fretes takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Ivan Rodrigo Ramirez Segovia takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Ivan Rodrigo Ramirez Segovia takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Federico Carrizo takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Shot by Alexis Fretes with his left foot is blocked.
Alexis Fretes takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Libertad host UCV in a must-win Copa Libertadores clash at Estadio Dr. Nicolás Leoz, sitting bottom of Group H with zero points after four games. UCV arrive with confidence, six points on the board, and the memory of a dominant 3-1 victory over this same Paraguayan side just weeks ago.
