The most recent duels in the Libertadores Cup have left some surprises in between the goals. Here are the latest details.
Corinthians falls
The Sao Paulo giants lost to Ecuadorian league leaders Independiente del Valle. Goals by Lautaro Díaz in the 22nd and 52nd minutes sealed the match. Róger Guedes tied the match in the 35th minute.
Although Corinthians dominated a good part of the match, a well-structured Independiente did not allow them to find the equalizer. Perhaps the most painful point of the defeat for Corinthians was losing at home in front of some 65,000 home fans.
Corinthians remains with 3 points behind Independiente and group leader Argentino Juniors with 7 points. This surprise losing streak should worry the Paulista fans, even if coach Wanderlei Luxemburgo has not pressed the panic button.
Fluminense Fulminates River Plate
Fluminense's thrashing of River Plate came as a bitter pill to swallow for the Argentine club's fans. The 5-1 win at the Maracana Stadium was enough to demonstrate the power of Fluminense, and the work that lies ahead for River.
Germán Cano's hat-trick (29', 53', and 86') and a brace from Jhon Arias (75' and 90'+1) sealed a victory that, although expected, was not by a landslide.
Lucas Beltrán scored for River in the 39th minute. The decisive factor in this match was the sending off of Leandro González Pirez in the 68th minute. But with 10 men down, the club crumbled. The next three goals were the decisive ones.
Fluminense continues its perfect streak with 9 points, while River still has a chance to get out of the group stage, as the other teams are tied with 3 points.
🔵🟡 @BocaJrsOficial 's second goal from the field by Sebastián Villa for the xeneize win in Chile in the CONMEBOL #Libertadores! pic.twitter.com/87Tbv7HGDd
- CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) May 4, 2023
Boca Does Its Own Thing
Boca Juniors gave the Argentine fans reason to celebrate with a 2-0 win over Chile's Colo Colo. Colo Colo did not come into this match at their best, so Boca took advantage of the moment.
Goals from Luis Advíncula in the 13th minute and Sebastián Villa in the 65th minute were enough to bury Colo Colo, who were reduced to 10 men. Although Colo Colo Colo dominated possession, they did not have enough to score. Boca now leads the group with 7 points, while Colo Colo follows with 4.
Palmeiras Wins Visit
The other Paulista giants, Palmeiras, showed their power by defeating Barcelona SC 2-0 at their home ground in Guayaquil. Goals from Raphael Veiga, on penalty in the 45+3 minute and Gustavo Gomez in the 47th minute, gave Barcelona enough ammunition to take all three points.
Palmeiras leads the group along with Bolivia's surprising Bolivar with 6 points. It is worth mentioning that Bolivar officially leads the group by goal difference of +5 compared to +1 for Palmeiras.