“Alejo Veliz was involved in a dangerous attacking moment for Rosario Central, contributing to a spell of pressure that was building before the interval.”
“Ignacio Ovando broke the deadlock with a composed finish to give Rosario Central a 1-0 lead, converting after Libertad had largely contained the hosts through the opening exchanges of the second half.”
Pivotal“Jorge Recalde received a yellow card for an argument as Libertad's frustration boiled over in the dying moments, summing up a desperate final quarter in which they failed to find an equaliser.”
Rosario Central
Libertad
Outstanding performance
Libertad•GoalkeeperRosario Central ground out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Libertad at home, a result that carries genuine significance in their Copa Libertadores group campaign. The match was defined more by physicality and tactical caution than by flowing football — six yellow cards across both teams underlined the combative nature of proceedings, with Libertad in particular committing 18 fouls as they looked to disrupt Central's rhythm. The hosts were the more dangerous side throughout, creating five big chances to Libertad's none, though they were profligate in front of goal, squandering four of those opportunities before Ignacio Ovando finally made the breakthrough in the 57th minute. Ángel Di María was central to Rosario Central's attacking play in the first half and had a penalty saved just before the interval — a moment that threatened to let Libertad escape with a draw — but Ovando's composed finish after the restart ultimately proved decisive, with Central's goalkeeper making three crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet as Libertad pushed for an equaliser.
How entertaining was this match?
Enzo Nahuel Copetti takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jorge RecaldeYellow CardJorge Recalde receives a yellow card.
Jorge Recalde takes a header but misses the target.
Estiven Villalba comes on for Ivan Rodrigo Ramirez Segovia.
Elias Veron comes on for Enzo Daniel Gimenez.
Amin Ezequiel Molinas Torres takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ivan Rodrigo Ramirez Segovia takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Carlos Quintana is on, and Gaston Avila is off.
Jorge Recalde comes on for Gustavo Aguilar.
Amin Ezequiel Molinas Torres comes on for Federico Carrizo.
Vicente Pizarro takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Matias Rojas comes on for Lucas Daniel Sanabria Britez.
Lorenzo Melgarejo takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Enzo Nahuel Copetti takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Federico Navarro is on, and Alejo Veliz is off.
Alexis Soto comes on for Gonzalo Agustin Sandez.
Lorenzo Melgarejo attempts a header but misses the shot.
Federico CarrizoYellow CardFederico Carrizo receives a yellow card.
Gaston Avila receives a yellow card.
Rodrigo Villalba takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Alejo Veliz attempts a header but misses the shot.
Ignacio OvandoShot on goal! Ignacio Ovando takes a left-footed shot and scores.
Gaston Avila takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Ignacio OvandoGoal! Ignacio Ovando scores, making it 1-0.
Gustavo Aguilar takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Alejo Veliz's header is saved.
Rodrigo Villalba comes on for Ivan Franco.
Alejo Veliz attempts a header but misses the shot.
Enzo Nahuel Copetti comes on for Jaminton Campaz.
Jaminton Campaz takes a left-footed shot but misses.
The first half ends with a score of 0-0.
Alejo Veliz's header is blocked.
Ignacio Ovando's right-footed shot is blocked.
Penalty saved! Angel Fabian Di Maria's attempt is unsuccessful.
Angel Fabian Di Maria takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Alejo VelizPenalty awarded after a VAR decision for Alejo Veliz.
Alejo Veliz takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Robert RojasYellow CardRobert Rojas receives a yellow card.
Alexis Fretes attempts a left-footed shot but misses.
Gonzalo Agustin Sandez receives a yellow card.
Ivan Franco takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jaminton Campaz takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Jaminton Campaz takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Gustavo AguilarYellow CardGustavo Aguilar receives a yellow card.
Shot from Alexis Fretes with his left foot is saved.
Gonzalo Agustin Sandez takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Ivan Rodrigo Ramirez Segovia takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Alejo Veliz takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Lorenzo Melgarejo has a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Rosario Central welcome crisis-hit Libertad to Rosario in a Copa Libertadores Group H clash that could effectively end the Paraguayan side's continental ambitions. With Libertad winless in three group games, a new coaching setup, and Central riding a strong wave of form, the Canalla have a golden chance to cement their push for the knockout rounds.
