A game full of emotions was experienced by the Liga Quito, which was crowned winner of the Copa Sudamericana 2023 after defeating Fortaleza at the Domingo Burgueño Miguel Stadium in Punta del Este.
The Brazilian team, reaching the final for the first time in the competition, had several chances in the first half, but the university students’ strong defense thwarted their rivals’ attempts.
The goals came in the second half when Fortaleza, in the 48th minute, breached Alexander Domínguez’s goal through Juan Lucero, who received a low cross from Tomas Pochettino and finished at the near post.
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Despite the goal, LDU didn’t give up and looked for an equalizer that would force extra time. Paolo Guerrero He was one of the Ecuadorian team’s most dangerous players as he pulled back slightly to distribute the ball.
The university students’ reward was 56 minutes and the chosen one was Lisandro Alzugaray. The Argentine striker excelled in the penalty area and after threatening an opponent, he shot with his left foot that hit the Fortaleza goalkeeper.
Thus, the 90th minutes ended with a 1-1 draw, a result that was held in extra time until a penalty shootout. Unfortunately, Guerrero missed his shot, as did Alexander Alvarado. But Domínguez emerged as a prime example, saving three shots and crowning LDU Sudamericana sovereigns.
YOU CAN SEE: Guerrero remembered a frustrated pass from Racing and thanked the LDU coach: He called me and told me: “I need you.”
“I thank God, my family and all the people who always support me. I missed the opportunity to play with Flamengo in the final (Sudamericana 2017) because I was sanctioned, but today I got my revenge. “That’s the beauty of football,” explained the Predator, who is still active in this beautiful sport at the age of 39.
Did you know…
He contributed to it. Paolo Guerrero finished the 2023 Copa Sudamericana with three goals as a Quito League player. However, the last two goals were scored Defense and Justice in the first leg of the semi-final.