victory and classification in Libertadores

The ambassadors’ notes were by Leonardo Castro and Daniel Cataño.

Full intensity in Millionaires and their fans, from the anthem, began to be felt in the stands. From the outset, Cataño tried in the middle distance, sending the ball over the Ecuadorian goal.

First minutes of total siege, advancing the lines in Millionaires. In minute 3, Cortés leaked a ball to Castro, who finished off Cuero’s goal.

Gamero arranged the traditional 4-2-3-1, with Giraldo as the most advanced man in the first line of midfielders. In addition, sending Silva to the side and positioning Cataño in the middle.

Católica raised 4-3-3, waiting far from his goal and looking to play behind the Millonarios sides. From minute 15 on, the Ecuadorians took the ball more and controlled half of the field, without major incidence in the offensive zone.

The first goal action for the blues came at minute 22, Elvis Perlaza’s cross and Castro arrived in ‘dove’ for the shot, being saved by Cuero.

Possession of the Ecuadorians returned and at minute 36, they generated a penalty, a cross from the side and hit Giraldo’s hand. The charge was executed by Ismael Díaz, impossible for Montero to stop it, at minute 38.

Things started to get more emotional as both clubs got into rough play. At minute 44, Franklin Guerra was sent off, seeing the second yellow.

For the second half, Gamero took Giraldo out and sent Fernando Uribe onto the field, showing the clear intention of playing attack. Cortés tried at minute 46, with a mid-distance shot, he brushed the crossbar. Two minutes later, Perlaza had it in the air game.

Several minutes passed, without many approaches and the Ecuadorians taking advantage of that, mounting the low block. In addition, the blues did not take advantage of the superiority they enjoyed in the right sector, when Cataño or Silva were positioned in that area.

It was not until minute 62, when Silva and Bertel combined, the captain unloaded with Cortés, who set up Leonardo Castro, to score the tie in the series.

Things changed for the blues at minute 69, with a ball steal by Óscar Cortés, played by the band and the youth player sent the ball to the center, it bounced off a rival and it was left to Cataño, who in individual action, took a powerful shot to score the goal of the partial classification.

The stadium exploded with the score and the celebration in favor of midfielder 10, due to all the situations he had recently experienced in the League. Celebration and jubilation of the ambassador team.

Gamero moved the team again and took out Silva, who with the minutes that he was plugged in in the second half, changed the attack zone of the blues.

At minute 80, Jader Valencia, just entered, had a one-on-one with goalkeeper Cuero, delaying the shot and losing a clear chance to score. Daniel Cataño and Leonardo Castro left the field at minute 87, amid unison applause, to give way to Óscar Vanegas and Juan Carlos Pereira.

The final minutes were of Ecuadorian despair, sending balls to the area and at minute 06, Montero contained a clear goal action.

Qualification for Millionaires to the next phase of the Conmebol Libertadores. In the next round, they will meet Atlético Mineiro, starting the key in Bogotá.