Buenos Aires, Feb 17 (NA) – Paraguay's 2 de Mayo and Peru's Sporting Cristal battled until the end, but could not get past a 2-2 draw in a match corresponding to the first leg of the second qualifying phase of the Copa Libertadores. According to the Argentine News Agency, the goals at the Monumental Rio Parapití stadium for the Paraguayan team were scored by Fernando Caceres in the 38th minute and by Cristiano into his own goal in the 39th. Meanwhile, the visitors had taken the lead from the penalty spot through Yoshimar Yotún in the 17th and sealed the draw with a goal into his own net by goalkeeper Ángel Martínez in the 42nd, all in the second half. In this way, the series is tied going into the final to decide who will advance to the third round of the Playoffs, which will take place next Tuesday, February 24, at the Miguel Graudel Callao stadium, starting at 21:30. 2 de Mayo reached this stage by winning 2-1 on aggregate against Alianza Lima in the first round. However, 12 minutes later, Santiago Strasorier appeared to level the score again. When it seemed the match would end in a draw, Hayen Palacios was assisted by Frank Fabra, ex-Boca defender, and sealed the victory in the 47th minute of the second half. In this way, the series will also be decided on Tuesday, the 24th, at the same time, at the Atanasio Girardot stadium. Meanwhile, Venezuela's Carabobo took advantage of home advantage and won by the minimum against Chile's Huachipato, at the Misael Delgado Polytechnic Stadium in the evening. The only goal of the game came in the 35th minute of the first half, with a through pass from striker Eric Ramírez to winger Edson Tortolero, who finished with a low, crossed shot that became the final 1-0. Additionally, the home team finished the match with 10 players due to the expulsion of defender Juan Pérez in the 40th minute of the second half, after a hard foul in the middle of the field on midfielder Maicol León. With the victory of the Venezuelan team, the series will be decided next Wednesday, February 24, at the Huachipato-CAP Acero stadium, at 19:00 (Argentine time). Sporting Cristal, for its part, debuted in the continent's most prestigious tournament in this very match. It is worth noting that the team led by Paulo Autuori had to play the entire second half with one less player due to the expulsion of striker Luis Iberíco in the 39th minute of the first half. On the other hand, Medellín's Independiente achieved an agonizing 2-1 away victory against Uruguay's Liverpool and left the tie in a favorable position to secure qualification to the third round as hosts. Argentine Francisco Fydriszewski had given the Colombians the lead in the 7th minute of the second half.
