Palmeiras and Cerro Porteño Draw 1-1 in Copa Libertadores First Leg

Palmeiras and Cerro Porteño played to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday at the Nubank Parque in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores round of 16 matchup. Flaco López scored for Palmeiras in the 36th minute of the second half, but Vegetti equalized for the Paraguayan side in the 47th minute. The return match is scheduled for August 19 at the Nueva Olla stadium in Asunción, where the winner will advance to the quarterfinals to face either Mirassol or LDU. If the second match ends in another draw, the tie will be decided by penalties.

The match was characterized by high tension and physical play. In the 28th minute of the second half, Palmeiras midfielder Andreas Pereira was sent off with a red card following an altercation with Klimowicz. Additionally, assistant coach Vítor Castanheira received a red card for protesting. Earlier in the game, Cerro Porteño players requested a penalty and an expulsion after Morel fell in the area following a collision with Carlos Miguel, but the referee did not award the foul. Abel Ferreira also requested a red card for Fabricio Domínguez after a hard foul on Vitor Roque, though Domínguez only received a yellow card.

Palmeiras controlled much of the possession and created several opportunities, including a shot by Jhon Arias that hit the post. Cerro Porteño had a goal by Benítez disallowed for offside. The equalizing goal occurred in stoppage time when a cross from Torres found Vegetti, leading to a mistake by Palmeiras goalkeeper Carlos Miguel that allowed the ball to pass under him.