O Palm trees lost his invincibility in Copa Libertadores after being defeated 1-0 by Cerro Porteñothis Wednesday (20), at Nubank Parque, for the fifth round of the group stage. With the result, the Alviverde team lost its lead in the group and postponed its early classification to the round of 16.
To advance to the knockout stage as group leader, Palmeiras will need to beat Junior Barranquilla in the last round and still hope for a stumble from Cerro Porteño.
The scenario could become more delicate in the event of a defeat in the decisive round combined with a victory for Sporting Cristal. In this case, the Peruvian team could overtake Palmeiras and push the Alviverde team into third place – thus leaving them out of the next stage.
How was the game
The team started the match pressing in the attacking field and almost opened the scoring in the 13th minute. After a cross from Andreas Pereira in the area, Emiliano Martínez appeared to head the ball, but sent it out.
The team continued to create chances and faced danger in the 26th minute with Jhon Arias, who demanded a good save from Martín. Afterwards, Giay took advantage of the surplus and activated Flaco López, but the shot stopped at the goalkeeper again.
Shortly afterwards, Arias was scary again after receiving a pass from Andreas Pereira, but sent the shot wide.
At 30, Murilo launched Flaco López, who came face to face with Martín. The attacker hit hard, but the ball hit the post after a slight deflection by the goalkeeper.
The Argentine appeared again in the 36th minute and found Andreas Pereira with a backheel pass. The midfielder served Arthur, who crossed to Allan in a good position, but the defense deflected the shot.
The Palmeiras fans were still shocked in the 43rd minute, when Carlos Miguel almost got into trouble after receiving a passed pass from Murilo.
Overall, Palmeiras were superior in the first half, creating the main chances, but needed to do more with the last pass to turn their dominance into an advantage.
Despite the Alviverde control, it was Cerro Porteño who opened the scoring at the beginning of the second half. At two minutes, after a mistake by Palmeiras marking in midfield, Fabricio Domínguez counterattacked on the right and crossed for See youwho appeared in the middle of the area to finish into the back of the net.
Palmeiras felt the goal and lost intensity in the following minutes. At 11, Carlos Miguel avoided Cerro’s second goal by spreading Cecílio Domínguez’s dangerous shot.
In reaction to the 35th minute, Flaco López almost equalized when he received a good cross from Arias, but ended up heading against the crossbar.
Luighi was also in danger in the final minutes, but a defender from the Paraguayan team arrived to clear it with the ball almost inside the goal. The judge also marked the move as offside.
Without getting a reaction, they ended up defeated at home by 1-0.
