Nacional vs. San Lorenzo, 2014 Copa Libertadores: Final score 1-1, Tricolor rescue draw at the death

San Lorenzo entered the 2014 Copa Libertadores final as big favorites, and they’ll head home still favored to lift the trophy, but their work was made a bit harder by Nacional in the dying minute of Wednesday’s first leg. The Paraguayans, playing the first leg at home, snatched an equalizer with the last kick of the match to draw, 1-1.

A scoring draw at home is still a bad result for Nacional, but they’ll like their chances to pull an upset in Argentina much better after Julio Santa Cruz scored a surprising goal in the 93rd minute.

The visitors dominated the first half and were unlucky not to take the lead heading into the locker room. Emanuel Mas hit the post in the 31st minute off a square ball by Montreal Impact-bound winger Ignacio Piatti, and it wasn’t Piatti’s last contribution. He was San Lorenzo’s best player in the first half, forcing Nacional keeper Ignacio Oscar Don to make multiple saves.

San Lorenzo’s breakthrough happened in the 65th minute, and in spectacular fashion, with Mauro Matos sticking in a perfect volley off a cross by Hector Villaba.

Nacional didn’t look like they’d be able to fight back at all, but they managed an equalizer with the absolute last kick of the match. Fredy Bareiro set it up by nodding down a lofted ball into the box for Santa Cruz, who finished off one of Nacional’s only decent chances of the match.

That goal preserved Nacional’s undefeated home record in the tournament and ensured that if San Lorenzo do go on to lift the cup, they will do so somewhat remarkably without winning a game on the road in the entire Copa Libertadores.