The Paraguayan defender scored the first goal in Timao’s 3-0 win against Liverpool of Uruguay. (AFP)
With a key goal from Paraguayan Fabián Balbuena, Corinthians from Brazil beat Liverpool from Uruguay 3-0 this Thursday at the Centenario Stadium, for the first date of Group E of the Copa Libertadores.
From the initial whistle of the Colombian Andrés Rojas it was seen that the Timao He was going to try to impose his game and that the local blacks would hold back to counterattack.
Before the 2 minute mark, the Brazilians showed their worth: in five neat and precise touches they reached the goal and converted, although the goal was annulled due to a very clear forward position by Argentine Fausto Vera.
but little by little Liverpool he began to advance his lines and disturb the visiting team at the hands of a very active Marcelo Meli.
At 30′, the crossbar denied the goal to the locals after a free kick taken by the youthful Luciano Rodríguez.
In their first participation in the group stage of the Libertadores, the blacks surprised the cupbearer corinthianschampion of the tournament in 2012.
At minute 40, the Brazilians came out of their long lethargy: Fausto Vera tried from outside the area and his furious shot was deflected in a great way to the corner by the Uruguayan goalkeeper Britos.
And six minutes later, the meeting experienced a decisive action: Paraguayan Fabian Balbuena He jumped more than the local defense after a poorly taken corner kick and scored the first goal of the visit with a header.
⚽️ ? It appeared only in the area and did not miss! Fabián Balbuena scored the first goal of @Corinthiansin the Centennial. pic.twitter.com/RqN0x3P5N1
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) April 7, 2023
buckets of cold water
And the second half started worse: at 48′, Roger Guedes he received a pass from the right and with a cross shot he beat Britos.
Corinthians would begin to control the game from then on, letting the locals take the lead on the field and counterattacking with danger.
In one of those counterattacks, at 62′, guedes he scored his second goal and his team’s third.
The striker finished off a very fast play by the visiting attack with a strong shot, which found itself in numerical superiority against a local defense that slowly fell back.
With this result, Timao leads the positions in the Group E of the liberatorstied on 3 points with Argentine Juniors -who on Tuesday defeated 1-0 Valley Independent– but with better goal difference.
On the next date, the Argentines will visit Corinthians and Liverpool will meet the Ecuadorians.
