:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/UD6GNC5WGBHYHHPACOSO4DXFQE.jpg "Melgar vs Aurora 0-1: summary and goal of the ‘red and black’ defeat in the first leg of phase 1 of Copa Libertadores 2024")
07 Feb, 2024 10:04 p.m. EST
Melgar lost 1-0 to Aurora in the first leg of phase 1 of the Copa Libertadores 2024
Melgar was the first Peruvian team to debut in the 2024 Copa Libertadores, beginning its path in the first phase of the championship. The ‘red and black’ team met this Wednesday, February 7, against Aurora of Bolivia to play the first leg of the aforementioned round at the Félix Capriles Stadium in Cochabamba and could not achieve a positive result.
The team led by Pablo de Muner arrived at the match with greater preparation, having played two official matches in League 1, unlike its rival, which is still waiting for the start of the Bolivian league. However, this “advantage” of the Arequipeños was not reflected on the scoreboard.
A great goal from Martín Alaniz tipped the balance for Aurora in Cochabamba. The Uruguayan attacker executed a sensational free kick at the end of the first half that Carlos Cáceda could not save and that was enough to give his team the victory. Melgar tried to equalize in the complement, but was unsuccessful.
Furthermore, the ‘red and black’ team lost an important figure for the second leg: Kenji Cabrera was sent off in the 88th minute for a double warning. It is worth mentioning that the rematch will be played next Wednesday, February 14 and now it will be the ‘domino’ that will act as a local team. The team that has Bernardo Cuesta as captain hopes to achieve a comeback that allows it to advance to the next round of the Conmebol tournament.