The Paraguayan side bend the Rubronegro at the penalty kick shootout as Libertad beat Rosario
Cerro Porteño prevailed over Flamengo in the fight for the top of the table of the Clubs Challengers Cup taking place at São Sebastião. The Guaraní stood perfect in the penalty kick shootout after a terribly balanced game to grasp the last point at stake.
The goals by Cerro’s Top scorers, Pablo Alexis Benítez Cáceres and Carlos Carballo, had the Paraguayan 2-0 ahead in the first period, catching Fla by surprise.
A great reaction had the Carioca side equalize the score by the end of the second period, and two more goals as the third period kicked-off seemed to definitely turn things around.
But along came Carballo, with his third goal of the day, and Gustavo Benítez, to equalize the score again and send the game onto extra time. The scoreboard would not move again, and the penalty kick shootout became the only way to discern who would get to the last matchday atop the standings.
Cerro Porteño would not miss a single one of their attempts, and the miss by Fla’s goalkeeper Anailton decided the game in favour of the Guaraní, who now command the table with four points.
In the other game of the day, the second Paraguayan side, Club Libertad, could seize their first points in the competition following a consistent 7-3 win over Club Atletico Rosario Central from Argentina.
After a balanced first period that ended with 2-2, Club Libertad would definitely take off in the second. The braces by Carlos Benítez,Sixto Cantero and Nestor Medina were too much to cope for for the Gigante de Arroyito, who will need to fight Flamengo today for their first points.
