The one-goal tie between the Defense and Justice Argentine, already classified, and the Independent of the Valley Ecuadorian, already eliminated, from the sixth and last day of Group A of the Liberators cup, was the context for the first match in the history of the tournament with a referee team made up only of women.
Brazilian Edina Alves was the main referee, accompanied by compatriot Neuza Back and Chilean Cindy Nahuelcoy as assistants and also Chilean María Belén Carvajal as fourth referee. In addition, the Argentine Sabrina Lois was the referee’s advisor, while the Brazilian Ana Paula de Oliveira was the VAR advisor.
In the meeting, Joffre Escobar opened the score for the Ecuadorians, while Braian Romero established the definitive equality with the distribution of points. After this group A, the Brazilian Palmeiras finished leader with 15 points, Defense and Justice was second with nine, both with their respective places secured in the round of 16.
The Ecuadorians from Independiente del Valle finished third with five points and qualified for the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana, while Universitario de Peru finished last with four points and eliminated.
The meeting marked the urgency with which Independiente del Valle arrived so as not to be left without international competition in the second semester, while Defense and Justice was already classified but could not aspire to the first place of Palmeiras.
An accurate header from Joffre Escobar allowed Renato Manuel Alves Paiva’s men to surprise the locals and take the lead in the 11th minute of play. Sebastián Beccacece’s men reacted and reached the equalizer in the 36th minute through a cross shot from their striker Braian Romero, which left goalkeeper Wellington Ramírez without a chance.
In the second half, both teams followed in the search for the goal, but Independiente del Valle was always more vigorous to the point that in minute 77 it had a penalty in favor for a foul on Jhon Jairo Sánchez by Matías Rodríguez. However, Christian ‘Titi’ Ortíz executed the maximum penalty diverted and sentenced the tie in the score that left Defense and Justice second and Independiente del Valle with their passport for the round of 16 of the South American Cup.
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