In a high-intensity match with numerous scoring chances, Libertad lost today 2-1 in their visit to Athletico Paranaense in the first leg of the 2022 Copa Libertadores Round of 16.
The Brazilian cast quickly took advantage on the scoreboard, when at 6 minutes Vitor Roque sent the ball to the back of Martín Silva’s goal after a great collective play by the locals.
The minutes following the opening goal, Libertad went out with everything to seek equality, prevailing in the process and pressing hard with its defensive zone on the rival.
Such pressure took effect when the game reached the 20th minute: a center by Miguel Samudio to the second post was connected with a good right hand by Héctor ‘Tito’ Villalba, who did not fail and sealed the 1-1 partial for the Paraguayan team.
However, a defensive neglect would cost Gumarelo dearly. At 32′, a center by Tomás Cuello was fully exploited by Nicolás Hernández, who, faced with no opposition, scored the goal that made it 2-1 in Curitiba, a result that would end up being definitive.
In the second half, the figure of Martín Silva emerged, who saved a couple of local attacks with spectacular interventions. The clearest for Libertad was at the feet of Lorenzo Melgarejo, who crashed a sensational shot from outside the area against the crossbar.
Thus, the definition of the series for a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores was left for the rematch, which will be played in Asunción in a week.
