Universidad Catolica Vs. Penarol, 2011 Copa Libertadores: Thrilling Match Sees Penarol Advance

Universidad Catolica were slight favorites to take down Penarol in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, but with the way the second leg of the tie played out the story will be on the match and not the upset. A thrilling tie turned in favor of Penarol after their won 2-0 at home in the first leg, but a pair of UC goals in the second leg leveled things and turned the momentum clearly in favor of the Chilean team. Penarol had no regard for momentum though, scoringjust five minutes from fulltime to to break a 2-2 tie on aggregate and book their place in the semifinals of the tournament.

It looked like Penarol would make it 3-0 on aggregate and get the vital away goal early in the match when Mathias Corujo cleverly flicked a cross on towards the backpost in the second minute. The shot looked goal bound, but Paulo Garces stretched to make a fantastic save and keep UC down just 2-0.

That save became all the more important in the 17th minute when Lucas Pratto did well at the top of the box to fend of defenders with his back to goal. He held onto the ball, waiting on a run from Fernando Meneses and when that run came, Pratto played a perfect pass for him. Meneses struck the ball hard and towards the far post, leaving the goalkeeper without a chance and UC within one goal.

That second goal that UC needed came in the 68th minute. Both teams had chances, but neither had been able to find the final touch they needed to equalize until Roberto Gutierrez made a sensational play by himself. The Chilean got the ball 30 yards away with his back towards goal, but he perfectly turned his defender to get just enough room to unleash a 25 yard shot. Unleash a shot he did, rocketing it past the keeper and leveling the tie at two goals apiece.

Copa Libertadores doesn’t have extra time except in the final so it looked like the two teams were headed to penalty kicks, but Fabian Estoyanoff had other thoughts. Carlos Valdez got space on the left and played a perfect cross to the back post. Estoyanoff got to it and finished well with a volley to get Penarol the winning goal just five minutes from fulltimes. The stadium went silent, but the Penarol players mobbed Estoyanoff along the sideline and for good reason. Penarol were on to the semifinals.