This is how Group A of the South American Cup is going: Lanús is a leader, escorted by Barcelona SC | Soccer | Sports

Barcelona Sporting Club achieved this Thursday a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Metropolitanos, but settled in second place in Group A of the Copa Sudamericana with 6 points, one behind the leader Lanús, and left the Venezuelan formation in the third step with 2, double the loot obtained by bottom Wanderers.

Nixon Molina, in the 33rd minute, converted the solitary goal. The scoreboard did not reflect what happened in the game due to the number of scoring chances wasted by the locals.

The visiting team created two clear chances. The pressure from Barcelona was useless, as there was a lack of clarity in the final play and, in others, goalkeeper Giancarlo Schiavone shone, until the goal was scored by a free kick.

Leonel Quiñónez took the free kick from the right flank, with a precise cross to the heart of the area, between the goalkeeper and the defenders, where midfielder Molina appeared to convert with a header.

A counterattack from the visitor, allowed Christian Larotonda to line up a low shot that was rejected by the Argentine goalkeeper Javier Burrai, and a new shot that was again stopped by the Barcelona goalkeeper.

Although Barcelona concluded the first half with the advantage, Metropolitanos visited the opposite zone on several occasions, but they lacked the chance to decide beforehand the shot on goal, as their attackers ended up losing the surprise by rehearsing one more move.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PEdcJDUVoc

After the game resumed, the Venezuelan goalkeeper saved his team from Molina’s second goal and managed with great effort to control the local attacker’s shot.

Uruguayan striker Gonzalo Mastriani squandered a quick attack from Leonel Quiñónez, who gave him a precise assist, but the striker finished at the goalkeeper’s hands.

The action caused the reaction of the visitor who, with a good distribution of play, approached the Barcelona area, who made extreme defensive efforts to avoid the equalizer.

The Venezuelan team wove an action for the tie, managed to overcome the local defensive system, but Charlis Ortiz could not finish off an empty goal.

Barcelona responded with another attack down the left flank cooked up by Jonathan Perlaza who made a pass, the ball was ready for Adonis Preciado’s shot, but his shot at an empty goal bounced off one of the Venezuelan defenders.

Carlos Garcés, who replaced Mastriani, shot at the goalkeeper’s hands, in a clear scoring opportunity. The third day of Group A will be played on May 4. Barcelona will receive the leader Lanús and Metropolitanos the Wanderers in Guayaquil. (D)