Although they suffered to beat an Independiente who played with ten men from the 12th minute, Ceará managed a 2-1 comeback against the Argentines this Tuesday in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza in the opening of Group G of the 2022 South American Cup.
With scores by Colombian Steven Mendoza (61, from a penalty) and Zé Roberto (66), due to a bad start by Uruguayan goalkeeper Sebastián Sosa in a corner, the ‘alvinegros’ injured the team called to win the quadrangular.
Despite the early expulsion of defender Ayrton Costa, Eduardo Domínguez’s ‘Red Devils’ went ahead with a goal from Gastón Togni in the 32nd minute.
The charges were evened out when Brazilian defender Nino Paraíba was shown the red card in the 62nd minute, shortly before the final goal, due to a tough tackle on Togni.
With the victory, Ceará de Dorival Júnior, who made his debut in the position, partially leads Group G, awaiting the clash between General Caballero JLM (PAR) and Deportivo La Guaira (VEN) on Wednesday in Asunción.
The first in the area will qualify for the round of 16.