Montevideo (AFP) – Fluminense of Brazil, current champion of the Copa Libertadores, began the defense of its title this Wednesday with a 1-1 draw against Alianza Lima, a first date of the group stage in which Palmeiras also tied in Buenos Aires Aires and the Colombian Junior left Rio de Janeiro with their hands full.
In a full stadium at the Alejandro Villanueva in Lima, Alianza took the lead with a goal from Colombian Kevin Serna in the 35th minute, after finishing a precise counterattack when the Rio tricolor was looking for the opposing goal.
But the response of the American champion came in the 72nd with a header from Marquinhos after a corner charge.
In the same Group A in Santiago, Colo Colo assumed the lead with a 1-0 victory over Cerro Porteño.
El Cacique secured the victory in stoppage time with a goal from Lucas Cepeda in the 90+4 minute.
With these results, Colo Colo is the leader with 3 points, Fluminense and Alianza Lima add one unit, while the Paraguayan Ciclón is bottom with no points.
Also with a draw, Palmeiras, one of the strong candidates for the title, left Buenos Aires, signing a 1-1 with San Lorenzo in Group F.
The Colombian defender Jhohan Romaña (19) put San Lorenzo in front, which accumulated merits and opportunities to gain more advantage, but was unable to sentence it and the Brazilian champion rescued equality near the end with a formidable free kick from the Uruguayan Joaquín Piquerez (81 ).
The first date of the key will be completed on Thursday when Liverpool and Independiente del Valle face each other in Montevideo.
Illustrious winners
Two more winners of the day were the Colombian Junior and Nacional from Uruguay.
El Tiburón, as the coffee team from the Caribbean Barranquilla is known, left Rio de Janeiro with their hands full by achieving a valuable 3-1 victory over Botafogo, on the first date of Group D.
The coffee champion secured the three points from the first half with a double from experienced forward Carlos Bacca (13, from a penalty, and 41), 37 years old, and a goal from winger Gabriel Fuentes (28).
The Cariocas scored through the leading scorer Hugo (43), before the close of the first half played at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium.
The victory allows the rojiblancos to close at the top of Group D with 3 points, the same as Universitario de Perú, which defeated Liga de Quito 2-1 on Tuesday in Lima.
Without units, the League is third and the ‘Glorioso’ is bottom.
In Montevideo, Nacional, historic three-time champion of the Libertadores, defeated Libertad of Paraguay with a 2-0 in Group H.
The Bag’s goals were scored by Leandro Lozano (32) and Ruben Bentancourt (62).
With this result, Nacional and River Plate of Argentina started at the top of their group with 3 points, leaving Libertad and Venezuelan Deportivo Táchira without points.
– Results and program of the matches for the first date of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores 2024:
Group A
Wednesday, in Santiago: Colo Colo (CHI) – Cerro Porteño (PAR) 1-0
Wednesday, in Lima: Alianza Lima (PER) – Fluminense (BRA) 1-1
Classification:
– Pts J G E P GF GC
1. Colo Colo (CHI) 3 1 1 0 0 1 0
2. Fluminense (BRA) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
. Alianza Lima (PER) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
4. Cerro Porteño (PAR) 0 1 0 0 1 0 1
Group B
Tuesday, in Calama: Cobresal (CHI) – Barcelona (ECU) 1-1
Thursday, in Córdoba: Workshops (ARG) – Sao Paulo (BRA)
Classification:
– Pts J G E P GF GC
1. Barcelona (ECU) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
. Cobresal (CHI) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
3. Sao Paulo (BRA) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
. Talleres (ARG) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group C
Tuesday, in La Paz: The Strongest (BOL) – Gremio (BRA) 2-0
Wednesday, in Talcahuano: Huachipato (CHI) – Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG) 1-1
Classification:
– Pts J G E P GF GC
1. The Strongest (BOL) 3 1 1 0 0 2 0
2. Students (ARG) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
. Huachipato (CHI) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
4. Guild (BRA) 0 1 0 0 1 0 2
Group D
Tuesday, in Lima: Universitario (PER) – Liga de Quito (ECU) 2-1
Wednesday, in Rio de Janeiro: Botafogo (BRA) – Junior (COL) 1-3
Classification:
– Pts J G E P GF GC
1. Junior (COL) 3 1 1 0 0 3 1
2. University (PER) 3 1 1 0 0 2 1
3. Quito League (ECU) 0 1 0 0 1 1 2
4. Botafogo (BRA) 0 1 0 0 1 1 3
Group E
Tuesday, in Bogotá: Millonarios (COL) – Flamengo (BRA) 1-1
Thursday, in Santiago: Palestino (CHI) – Bolívar (BOL)
Classification:
– Pts J G E P GF GC
1. Flamengo (BRA) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
. Millionaires (COL) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
3. Bolivar (BOL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
. Palestino (CHI) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group F
Wednesday, in Buenos Aires: San Lorenzo (ARG) – Palmeiras (BRA) 1-1
Thursday, in Montevideo: Liverpool (URU) – Independiente Del Valle (ECU)
Classification:
– Pts J G E P GF GC
1. Palmeiras (BRA) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
. San Lorenzo (ARG) 1 1 0 1 0 1 1
3. Independiente del Valle (ECU) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
. Liverpool (URU) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group G
Thursday, in Caracas: Caracas FC (VEN) – Atlético Mineiro (BRA)
Thursday, in Rosario: Rosario Central (ARG) – Peñarol (URU)
Group H
Tuesday, in San Cristóbal: Deportivo Táchira (VEN) – River Plate (ARG) 0-2
Wednesday, in Montevideo: Nacional (URU) – Libertad (PAR) 2-0
Classification:
– Pts J G E P GF GC
1. River Plate (ARG) 3 1 1 0 0 2 0
. . . . National (URU)
3. Freedom (PAR) 0 1 0 0 1 0 2
. Deportivo Táchira (VEN) 0 1 0 0 1 0 2
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