RIVER GOES FORWARD IN THE COPA SUDAMERICANA

In Ecuador, the current champion of the Copa Sudamericana visited Liga de Quito, looking to win the serie that began with a 2-0 victory in Núñez. In a tough game, Marcelo Gallardo's team lost 1-0, a result that allowed it to achieve the classification to a new round of the tournament.

In the first half, the local team, forced after its defeat in Buenos Aires, sought to play in the opponent's field, but el Millonario responded with strength and it had a good opportunity in a shot of Mercado that demanded a good action of the rival goalkeeper. Ecuadorians had their best opportunity in the first half when a bicycle kick by Cevallos found a good response of Barovero and then, without clarity, they did some distance shots that did not help them to break the zero.

The second half began with a great shot of Alario stopped by Alexander Dominguez with great effort, but then the local team had its best perfomance during the match, and, 9 minutes later, Mina, with a header, allowed Ecuadorians to take the lead.

After the goal, Liga was prepared to tie the serie and, in the minute 18 of the second half, it had a penalty, in which the Uruguayan Álvez failed to score. Based on the firmness of Maidana, River escaped from the pressure of the local team and although it suffered a freekick by Morales that hit the post, it had options to counterattack and win the serie definitely. A great shot of the tireless Sánchez hit the right post in the best chance that River had in the match. From this moment to the end of the match, River was able to control the game and get a deserved classification.

So, the champion overcame a tough obstacle and it is already among the best eight teams of the 2015 edition of the Copa Sudamericana.

Liga Deportiva Universitaria: Alexander Domínguez; Norberto Araujo (C), Luis Cangá, José Quintero; José Madrid, Fernando Hidalgo, José Cevallos, Jefferson Intriago; Hólger Matamoros, Jonatan Álvez and Diego Morales. Substitutes: Daniel Viteri, Jorge Mendoza, Néicer Reascos, Juan Ignacio Cavallaro, Luis Congo, Arrinton Mina and Miller Quiñonez. Coach: Luis Zubeldía.

River Plate: Marcelo Barovero; Gabriel Mercado, Jonatan Maidana, Eder Álvarez Balanta, Milton Casco; Carlos Sánchez, Matías Kranevitter, Nicolás Bertolo; Leonardo Pisculichi; Rodrigo Mora, Lucas Alario. Substitutes: Julio Chiarini, Emanuel Mammana, Leonardo Ponzio, Camilo Mayada, Gonzalo Martínez, Tabaré Viudez and Javier Saviola. Coach: Marcelo Gallardo.

Changes: Cavallaro by Intriago, Mina by Matamoros, Quiñónez by Cevallos (LDU); Mayada by Pisculichi, Martinez by Bertolo, Viudez by Mora.

Cautioned: Álvez, Intriago, Araujo, Quintero (LDU); Mercado, Bertolo, Álvarez Balanta, Kranevitter, Casco (RP).

Expelled: Quintero (LDU).

Referee: Wilmar Roldan; Assistants: Cristian de la Cruz and Rafael Rivas (all from Colombia); Substitute referee: Vinicio Espinel (Ecuador).

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First Team

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