Cerro Porteño did not maintain the advantage it took and ended up giving up a 1-1 draw against Resistencia on Friday, who took advantage of a mistake by Miguel Martínez and held on with 10 players in the final stretch.
In a match corresponding to the 5th round of the Opening Tournament, Fernando Fernandez he scored his first goal with the azulgrana shirt and made it 1-0 at home after 40′. But Rodrigo Mazur, taking advantage of a bad start by the close-quarters goalkeeper Miguel Martínezmade the final 1-1 for those from La Chacarita at 79′.
‘Resi’ played the final part of the match with one man less for the expulsion, via VAR review, of Alan Pereira in the 83rd minute.
In an initial chapter in which those led by Miguel Zahzu they showed a better performance, but wasting their offensive forays, it was Cerro who struck in his first strong appearance in the rival area.
⚽️ Fernando Fernández reached the far post and sent it headlong inside to put the Catalans up.
➡️ @CCP1912official 1
➡️ @ResiSportClub 0
#FirstCup ?#OpeningAPF2023 ??pic.twitter.com/j60SXESV8Z— APF First Cup (@CopaDePrimera) February 25, 2023
Fernandezwith a well-placed header (40′), overcame the opposition of Rhuan Dos Santos and opened the scoring in a context that was not favorable for the pupils of facundo sava.
In the second half the scenario was reversed: the Cyclone was the one that took the initiative and appeared with better intentions in the attack zone, while Resistencia could not find a way to hurt up front.
The Argentine Rodrigo Mazur scored the equalizer for @ResiSportClub
enjoy the #OpeningAPF2023 at Tigo Sports! pic.twitter.com/uaRLOwF2HU
– Tigo Sports (@TigoSportsPY) February 25, 2023
But a weak air exit from the current Cerrista starting goalkeeper Martínez gave the Argentine defender a free hand mazur to seal the 1-1 (79′) in Barrio Obrero.
The final incidence of the comparison arrived at 83 minutes, when a call for field review of the VAR for the referee John Lopez meant the expulsion for an unsportsmanlike act of Alan Pereira, who groped Alberto Espínola as seen in the images of the check-up.
?✖️ FORBIDDEN HAND!
? Alan Pereira was expelled from the game for this hand to Alberto “Beto” Espínola.
? Opinions? pic.twitter.com/kqEkpyMBvy
—Versus (@SomosVersusPY) February 25, 2023
The tie left Cerro Porteño with 9 points, still undefeated in the tournament but with the risk of being further away from the top, while Resistencia (4 units) added a hierarchy point that can be valued above all for the table of averages.