Lima, Peru – Universidad de Chile secured a valuable draw against Alianza Lima in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 tie, finishing 0-0 at the alejandro Villanueva Stadium. The result sets up a decisive rematch in Coquimbo, to be played behind closed doors, with the winner advancing to face either lanús or Fluminense – Lanús currently leading the series 1-0 after the first leg played in Buenos Aires.
the match was marked by controversy, as a first-half goal by Alianza Lima’s Fernando Gaibor was disallowed after a VAR review revealed a handball by Alianza’s Quevedo during the build-up. Referee Ramón Abatti made the call to cancel the goal.
Alianza Lima suffered a setback in the 63rd minute with the expulsion of veteran defender Carlos Zambrano, receiving a second yellow card for an elbow on Aránguiz. Universidad de Chile attempted to capitalize on the man advantage, with substitutions including Tucu Contreras for Walter and Leandro Fernández later in the game, but were unable to break the deadlock.
Universidad de Chile showed more energy in the second half, but struggled to convert advances into scoring opportunities. alianza Lima, under coach N. gorosito,focused on maintaining the clean sheet after Zambrano’s dismissal.
Approximately 30,000 spectators attended the match.
Lineups:
Alianza Lima: G. Viscarr; G. Henry, C. Zambrano, R. Garcs, M. Trauco; A. Bulamaqui (76′ – P. Aquino); E. Castillo, F. Gaibor, S. Peña (62′ – A. Cantero), K. Quevedo (65′ – G.Chavez); H. Barcos (77′ – G. Gentee). DT: N. Gorosito.
U. de Chile: G. Castellón; F.Hormazal, F. Calderón, M. zaldivia; M. Guerrero (46′ – N. Fernández), M.Díaz (46′ – St. Rodriguez), C. Aránguiz, M. Sepúlveda (72′ – F. Solomoni); J. Altamirano; L. Assadi (88′ – L. Fernández) and N. Guerra (72′ – R.Contreras). DT: Q. Quinteros.
Referee: R. Abatti (Brazil). He cautioned Zambrano, Aquino (AL); Guerrero, Altamirano, Contreras (U). Expelled Zambrano (AL) in the 63rd minute for a second yellow card.