Independiente Santa Fe debuted with a 1-0 victory against Deportivo Cuenca on the first day of the group stage of the CONMEBOL Libertadores Femenina Cup. The Colombian team had to fight to get the first three points of the tournament.
The game was not easy for the Lions, who were quickly caught off guard with a penalty in the first minutes of the first half. Fortunately for your interests, goalkeeper Katherine Tapia dressed as a hero and saved the rival team’s shot.
After 10 minutes, the Cardenal team calmed down for the debut and began to dominate the game, creating five scoring opportunities. Eliana Salazar was the first player to try to open the scoring with a shot with her right foot that was deflected over the goal.
At minute 17 ‘it was the turn of the footballer Joemar Guarecuco, who entered the area and with a header demanded the Ecuadorian goalkeeper who with a spectacular save sent the ball to the corner kick.
Again, in the 26th minute, the Lionesses approached through the Venezuelan player, who received a filtered ball into the area from the left side and finished off over the crossbar.
Deportivo Cuenca generated danger again in the 32nd minute after taking a corner kick and a double header inside the area. The Ecuadorian shot went slightly deflected over the Cardenal arc.
Santa Fe continued to insist, dominating his rival and creating many plays in the rival area. In this way, in minute 42 ‘he had another opportunity in the boots of Diana Celis, who incredibly alone in front of the opposing goalkeeper defined poorly and her shot was deflected.
In the last minute of the first half, Nubiluz Rangel and Joemar Guarecuco were close to opening the scoring with a double shot inside the area, but goalkeeper Andrea Moran risked her life and with a double save prevented her goal from falling.
For the second half, the game decreased in intensity and both teams were affected by the wear of the first half, causing the danger plays in the areas to decrease. However, Santa Fe hit the gas again late in the game and found the winning score.
At minute 78 ‘the Cardenal team took advantage of a defensive error by the Deportivo Cuenca centrals and, through Fany Gauto, they converted the goal that gave them the three points. The midfielder took a faulty rebound and with her left leg sent the ball into the back of the net.
With this victory, the Leonas are in second place in Group A with 3 units, surpassed by Ferroviaria, which has a better goal difference.
On the following day, the Colombian team will face Sol de América on the second date of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores
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