Barcelona SC defeated Estudiantes de La Plata 2-1 in the first leg of the Conmebol Sudamericana round of 16 on Tuesday night at the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute when midfielder Damián Díaz scored a stunning free kick from 25 yards out, curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the net. Estudiantes goalkeeper Mariano Andújar had no chance to stop the shot.
Estudiantes equalized in the 39th minute when defender Leonardo Godoy headed in a cross from midfielder Manuel Castro from the right wing. Godoy rose above his marker and nodded the ball past Barcelona goalkeeper Javier Burrai.
Barcelona regained the lead in the 57th minute when striker Carlos Garcés converted a penalty kick after Estudiantes defender Agustín Rogel fouled him in the box. Garcés sent Andújar the wrong way and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Estudiantes tried to find a second away goal, but Barcelona held on to secure a narrow victory. The result gives Barcelona an advantage ahead of the second leg, which will be played on July 18 at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata in Argentina.
Barcelona SC is looking to reach the quarterfinals of the Conmebol Sudamericana for the first time in their history, while Estudiantes de La Plata is aiming to win their second title in the competition, after lifting the trophy in 2009.
The winner of this tie will face either Independiente del Valle or Red Bull Bragantino in the next round.
NAME: Barcelona SC vs Estudiantes de La Plata
DATE: July 12, 2023
TIME: 00:00 UTC
VENUE: Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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