LDU Defeats Sรฃo Paulo 2-0 โin Libertadores First Leg
QUITO, ECUADOR -โค Liga de Quito (LDU) secured a โฃcommanding 2-0โข victory over โSรฃo Paulo FC in the first leg of theirโฃ Copa Libertadores Round of 16 tie on Thursday, leaving the Brazilian side with a โnotable uphill battle for the return leg. Goals from Ramรญrez (15′) and Michael Estrada (78′) propelled LDU to a strong advantage at Casaโฃ Blanca.
Theโ Ecuadorian club, aโค familiar opponent to Brazilian teams – notably currentโค league champion โBotafogo -โข capitalized on clinical finishing despite a challenging altitude. While Sรฃo Paulo enjoyed a more dominant second half, creating several โฃopportunities, they were unable โฃto convert them into goals.
Sรฃo Paulo’s hopes were hampered by an offside callโ against โคLuciano early in theโ second โขhalf and a strong performance from LDU goalkeeperโ Valle, who denied attempts from Luciano and Ferreirinha. The absence of a natural playmakerโ and a โฃdelayed start for Ferreira also impacted Sรฃo Paulo’s attackingโ fluidity.
LDU โnow holds aโ significant advantage heading into the second leg. they can afford to lose by up toโ oneโค goal at morumbis nextโ Thursdayโฃ (25). Sรฃo Paulo must โคwin by at leastโ three goals in regulation time to advance, or secure a two-goal victory to force a penalty shootout. The winner will โface either Palmeiras or River Plate in the semi-finals.
Both teams โreturn toโค domestic action on Sunday (21). LDU โwill host โUniversidad Catรณlica inโฃ Liga Pro,while Sรฃo Paulo will visit Santos in Brasileirรฃo.
๐ธ Franklin Jacome – 2025 Getty Images