palm treeschampion of the last two editions of the Copa Libertadores, extended their perfect campaign in the group stage of the 2022 edition by defeat this Wednesday in Guayaquil by 1-3 to Emelec. Palmeiras leads group A with 9 points out of a possible 9 and Emelec was in third place with 2. The Venezuelans from Deportivo Táchira add 4 and the Bolivians from Independiente Petrolero close with 1. The Spanish Ismael Rescalvo accumulated new criticism from the team’s fans Guayaquil in a game that the albiverde resolved comfortably, because after 25 minutes he was already winning with a goal from Rony, who today became Palmeiras’ top scorer in the Libertadores with 13, and another from Gabriel Verón. Joao Rojas discounted in 62, but Breno put the finishing touch in 92.
the goal of Rony, with a header, preceded a showy maneuver by Wesley, who from the right wing and, without the ball touching the grass, put a cross to the penalty spot. Palmeiras increased the difference after a drop from Gabriel Veron, who ran unmarked about 50 meters before resolving with a cross shot. It wasn’t until added time in the first half that Emelec were able to scare the visitors with a left-footed shot from Colombian Alexis Zapata that passed just a few centimeters from the post.
In minute 62, Emelec shook off the pressure from the Brazilians with a goal from Joao Rojas. This is how the 1-2 came, just on the play after what could have been the 0-3, in a shot that Rony missed with an empty goal and that was the final sentence. Without ceasing to take the same extreme risks in defense, Emelec improved in attack in the second half and was very close to achieving a draw, but when Palmeiras looked worse, the visitors sentenced the match with a goal from Brene.
On the fourth day of group A, scheduled for May 3, Deportivo Táchira will host Emelec and Independiente Petrolero will host Palmeiras.
Cerro Porteño takes the top of group G
The Cerro Porteño defeated Uruguayan Peñarol 1-0 on Wednesdayand established himself at home as the sole leader, with seven points, of group G. A score of Angel Cardozo It was enough for Ciclón de Barrio Obrero to keep three gold points that give them a break on the third date of the tournament group stage. The Asunción team’s goal came before the end of the first stage after a throw-in that Argentine Claudio Aquino deflected with his chest towards Cardozo’s feet. The advantage of the Paraguayan formation generated the chants in the Nueva Olla de Asunción stadium and disconcerted the Montevideo team, which until then had divided the options with the host in a match punctuated by the threat of scuffles. The half-time lap brought options for both teams, but the efforts of the Carboneros failed to level the score.
With the result of this Wednesday, Cerro Porteño reached the top of group G, with 7 points, and is now escorted by the Argentine Colón, who has 3. Peñarol fell to third place in the table, also with 3 , above bottom side Olimpia, who adds 1. It will be this Thursday when the third day of this key is completed, with the clash between Olimpia and Colón.
Those directed by Francisco ‘Chiqui’ Arce will face Colón in Santa Fe on May 4. On the same day, Olimpia will receive Peñarol.
Tolima comes back and signs its first victory
The Sports Tolima Colombian, with two goals from striker Ánderson Plata, culminated this Wednesday an unexpected 2-3 comeback over América Mineiro Brazilian and thus added its first victory in group D. Today’s was also the first victory of the Vinotinto de Ibagué team in Brazilian territory. All the goals were scored in a crazy second half in which Hernán Torres’ team managed to neutralize the strikes of América Mineiro twice and finally took the three points thanks to Plata’s final goal in the 94th minute.
The away win on Brazilian soil boosts Tolima, which now has four points, just one below the leaders of the group, the Ecuadorian Independiente del Valle and the Brazilian Atlético Mineiro, who equalized in Salgonquí on Wednesday. América Mineiro was left in the standings with just one point with three games remaining in the group stage in which the first two go through to the round of 16 and the third wins a place in the Copa Sudamericana.
The Brazilian team missed a match that they saw they had won on two occasions. He opened the scoring through the Brazilian striker Pedro, who finished a good braided play between Matheusinho and Paulinho Bóia at the start of the second half (m.52). Tolima unexpectedly equalized with the first goal in his private account of Silverwhich culminated in a counterattack in the 65th minute. In the 76th minute, an unfortunate own goal by the Colombian winger Junior Hernandez was ahead of the locals again, but far from being intimidated and with the game completely broken, Tolima returned to level the game after a corner, which after a series of rebounds, the defender finished off almost on the goal line Julian Quinonesin the 86th minute.
America went desperate to win, but on the last play, Silver dominated at the entrance of the area and shot. The ball deflected on the Joao Paulo side, misled the local goalkeeper and nested in the back of the net.
The frenzy experienced in the second half was far from a rough first half in which the two teams were far below what is expected of them in the Copa Libertadores. América, despite being local, barely added two clear scoring chances in the first half. Deportes Tolima always chose to stay behind, waiting to surprise with counterattacks, a strategy that worked out perfectly.
Fortaleza defeats Alianza Lima
The Brazilian Fortress beat Alianza Lima 2-1 on Wednesday and thus achieved his first victory in the Copa Libertadores, a tournament in which he is participating for the first time and in which he is now climbing positions in group F. The Argentine Silvio Romero and Hércules signed the victory for the Brazilian team, while the Uruguayan Pablo Lavandeira discounted for the Peruvian club, which remains last without scoring points and extends a streak of 10 years without winning a match in the tournament. The day is completed later in the second hour, when the Chilean Colo Colo receives the Argentine River Plate in Santiago, both with 6 points at the top of the classification.
The match played before some 32,000 spectators at the Arena Castelao stadium in Fortaleza, with refereeing by the Colombian Carlos Betancur, began with caution on the part of both teams, until after the first half hour the hosts brought danger to the goal defended by Angelo Campos. Moisés, Yago Pikachu and Romero tried to open the scoring in the first half, but they had no luck in the definition. At the beginning of the second half, at 49 minutes, the creative Lucas Lima and Pikachu started the play that ended at the feet of Rosemary and the Argentine striker did not forgive Campos to put the partial 1-0.
The visiting coach, the Argentine Carlos Bustos, moved his chips and with the entry of the Colombian attacker Arley Rodríguez, he sought more support for the Argentine striker Hernán Barcos, who was quite lonely on the front line of the ‘Intimate’ team. In the 69th minute, in a play started by Paraguayan Edgar Benítez, Laundrywith a header, equalized the score.
But those led by the Argentine Juan Pablo Vojvoda, with more desire than order, went out to desperately seek victory and at 78 minutes in an attack by his compatriot Valentín Depietri, who had just entered, Pikachu left free so that Hercules will score 2-1. In the final minutes Alianza Lima reacted and put local goalkeeper Max Walef in trouble, who came out unscathed.
Next week, Fortaleza will host River Plate, while Alianza Lima will host Colo Colo.