With goals from Lucero and Solari, the Quinteros side evenly beat the Gauchos 2-0 and take the lead in their Copa Sudamericana round of 16. It could have been 2-1, but the Brazilians were ruled out somewhat, at VAR’s request. The rematch will be played next Tuesday 5.
The Copa Sudamericana won’t have the historical weight or tradition of the Libertadores, but taking part in it means rubbing shoulders with relevant rivals at continental level. The start of the road to Colo Colo was encouraging. On the cold night in Santiago, the Cacique spoke about his best recent performance to beat Internacional de Porto Alegre 2-0, fourth in the Brasileirao ranking, the most powerful league in South America.
After the elimination of the Libertadores, which generated a bad taste in the mouth, especially after the remarkable start of the group stage, the South American appears not only as a consolation prize, but also as a new opportunity to show itself as a competitive cast. . . . in more important cases. And it was necessary to change face compared to the last international presentations, those which mortgaged their luck in the main tournament of the Conmebol.
Colo Colo presented their star formation in front of O Colorado (which had only one defeat against Mano Menezes, who took over in April), except for the loss of Emiliano Amor. The rest is the known eleven. The best Quinteros have at their disposal, including Brayan Cortés, who returned to goal. The novelty was on the bench, with the inclusion of Agustín Bouzat. Well, he didn’t make his debut.
Beyond the fact that Internacional arrived in Santiago with injuries (one of the main ones was that of the side Fabricio Bustos), the virtue of the colocolinos was to regain that competitiveness that he was able to show at the start of his participation in the Libertadores, as against Fortaleza or the first half with River, in Macul. With a sharp Pablo Solari and a proving successful Juan Martín Lucero, the white side held their own against a rival with more name than good play. Well, Mano Menezes’ sides rely more on order than to lyricism.
In the 12th minute, the account was opened thanks to Lucero, who defined with class after a pass from Costa. The Peruvian national team lit up over the match. The streak started with a shot from César Fuentes, which lowered the 8 for Los Blancos. Yes OK Colo Colo recorded 52% possession in the first half, that didn’t mean it was a close process. The place was better and sought, from the start, to impose its conditions . On the other side, the pragmatic proposal of the gaúchos did not work, so they had to move pieces in the middle of the game.
Solar factor
The imbalance. After the controversy over his frustrated transfer to América de México, Paul Solari he resumed his place in the Quinteros structure. When he has the lights on, he becomes the ideal Colo Colo can opener.
At the start of the second period, Inter tried to show something else, but any display of lukewarm audacity was brought to a screeching halt with the young Argentine’s 2-0 lead in the 55th minute. With a tight shot from below, after overcoming resistance from defender Rodrigo Moledo, Solari beat goalkeeper Daniel and sparked the Alba fanatic’s celebrations.
The record is positive for the Macul team not only because of the advantage on the scoreboard, but also because their defense did not suffer. Cortés’ return to goal was calm, with no play in which he should have demanded more than necessary. Zaldivia also responded, who dodged gravel early on. The worrying point is the injury of César Fuentes (muscular), who should have been replaced by Vicente Pizarro.
At the end, a bit of suspense to warm up the night. Two minutes from the epilogue, Estevao converts the discount for the Colorados. However, referee Loustau reviews the game before the VAR call following a possible handball from Edenilson before the sequence which ended in 2-1. The judge is delayed and, finally, decides to cancel the Brazilian goal. It was celebrated as another goal.
The return match will be played next Tuesday, July 5, on the always difficult lawn of Beira Río. It should be remembered that in the Conmebol Cups the double value of visitor goals no longer runs. The winner of this series will face, in the quarter-finals, the winner of the key between Deportivo Cali (Colombia), led by Rafael Dudamel, and Melgar (Peru). But first, the Whites have the resumption of the National Tournament, and defend the point. This Friday they visit Everton.
score sheet
Colo Colo 2 :B. Cortes; O. Opazo, M. Falcon, M. Zaldivia, G. Suazo; C. Fuentes (74′, V. Pizarro), E. Pavez; P. Solari (90′+4′, B. Gutierrez), L. Gil, G. Costa; and JM Lucero. DT: G.Quinteros.
International 0 : Daniel; Heitor (46′, R. Moledo), Vitao, G. Mercado, René (28′, Moisés); Edenilson, Johnny, Gabriel (62′, Mauricio); Alan Patrick (62′, David), Alemao and P. Henrique (77′, Estevao). DT: Mr Menezes.
Goals : 1-0, 12′, Lucero, sets after a pass from Costa; 2-0, 55′, Solari, with an adjusted low shot.
Arbitrator : P. Loustau (ARG). He admonished Fuentes, Lucero (CC); Gabriel, Mauricio (I).
Monument Stadium. 10,000 people attended, approx.
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Source: Latercera
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
