Copa Libertadores: Estudiantes secured a crucial win in Paraguay at the last minute and are looking forward to the quarterfinals.
With a last-minute penalty from Ascacibar, Pincha edged out Cerro Porteño, who speculated and ended their unbeaten streak. The series will be decided in La Plata, where Estudiantes will look to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
E Estudiantes defeated Cerro Porteño 1-0 at La Nueva Olla in Asunción in the first leg of the 2025 Copa Libertadores round of 16. Eduardo Domínguez's team got a late reward thanks to a penalty converted by Santiago Ascacibar in the 97th minute, allowing them to head into the rematch in La Plata with an advantage.
The build-up was slow and lacked depth. The home side ceded the initiative and waited in their own half, withdrawn and safe. El Pincha took control, but struggled to create danger. Cerro blocked the openings, especially in the attempts of Cristian Medina, Edwuin Cetré, and Tiago Palacios . At the 14-minute mark, a statistic revealed the situation: the Paraguayans had made just 30 passes, compared to more than four times that of their opponents, although many were between the defenders.
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The first shot on goal came in the 22nd minute, when Santiago Arzamendia tried a shot from outside the box and drew a strong response from Alexis Martín Arias . Despite that attempt, the game remained slow-paced, with no clear opportunities and the goalkeepers as spectators . Estudiantes tried long-range shots from Cetré, Ascacibar, and Alexis Castro , but none managed to break the deadlock before halftime.
The second half didn't change much. Ignacio Aliseda created the first chance with a run that Muslera easily controlled. Guido Carrillo was Estudiantes' most dangerous player, with a header that just went wide in the 50th minute and another attempt from a corner that went wide.
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Gentleness.
The match seemed headed for a draw until Wilder Viera had a golden chance for the home side in the 89th minute , but Muslera saved Estudiantes . In the final play, a penalty on Carrillo gave Pincha a chance, and Ascacibar made no mistake from the penalty spot.
With this result, Estudiantes has its fourth consecutive victory, after defeating Huracán, Racing, and Independiente Rivadavia. Despite the injuries of Gabriel Neves and Ezequiel Piovi, the team has consolidated its position both in the domestic tournament, where it leads Group A, and internationally, after winning its Libertadores group by goal difference over Botafogo.
Cerro Porteño , which had gone eight games without losing, suffered the absences of Gustavo Velázquez, Gastón Giménez and Robert Piris Da Motta, and will seek to reverse the series next Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Estadio UNO.
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