Palmeiras seeks heroic turnaround over Del Valle and isolates itself in the leadership of the Libertadores

After being largely dominated in the first half, the Palm trees reacted and pulled off a heroic 3-2 victory over Independiente Del Valle, this Wednesday (24), at the Banco Guayaquil stadium, in Quito, Ecuador. The alviverde team ended up losing by two goals, but woke up in the final stage of the match.

The result achieved at an altitude of 2,500 meters allows Verdão to isolate itself in the first position of group F, with seven points. The rivals in the match have four points, in second place.

Kendry Páez, just 16 years old, and the Hoyos scored for the home team. Still in the first half’s stoppage time, Endrick started the reaction, which was consolidated with Lázaro and a beautiful goal from Luis Guilherme in the final stoppage time.

The size of this victory is not only measured by the script until it reaches the score, but also by the story. Independiente Del Valle has 32 home games in the Libertadores and has lost only two, precisely to Abel Ferreira’s team. The other triumph was in the 2021 edition of the tournament, 1-0.

Upcoming games

Now, Palmeiras returns to compete in Series A of the Brazilian Championship and arrives renewed for the third Choque-Rei of the season. At 8pm (Brasília time), next Monday (29), the team visits São Paulo, at MorumBis, for the fourth round.

In the Libertadores, the team only returns to the field on May 9th, at 7pm (Brasília time), against Liverpool, in Uruguay.

Independiente Del Valle faces Imbabura, this Sunday (28), at 2:30 pm (Brasília time), for the Ecuadorian Championship. In the Libertadores, the next match is against San Lorenzo, in Argentina, on May 9th, at 7pm (Brasília time).

The game

modified palm trees

Coach Abel Ferreira made two changes to the starting lineup. This time, defender Murilo, who felt tired in the match against Flamengo, last weekend, gave the place to Marcos Rocha.

However, the big surprise was Rony’s entry in place of Flaco López, the team’s top scorer this season with 11 goals.

Early goal, early talent

Palmeiras’ modifications were barely tested in practice, and the team fell victim to midfielder Kendry Páez, just 16 years old. From the start of the match, the hosts were looking for the jewel already sold to Chelsea.

At 11 minutes, Páez started an individual play, scored and shot from outside the area, with no chance for Weverton. Early goal from a precocious talent.

Del Valle (much) better

What happened in the opening moments of the match, however, was not a flash. Palmeiras was dominated in such a way that the home team had 82% possession of the ball until the 35th minute of the first half.

The alviverde team was unable to get into the game, while Del Valle approached the second goal with a shot from Renato Ibarra saved by Weverton.

Second goal

In a slower rotation, showing signs of difficulty with the altitude, Palmeiras watched their rival play, mainly with attacks on the right side.

In one of these opportunities, Kendry Páez placed the ball on the head of Hoyos, who anticipated Gustavo Gómez and increased the advantage, at 37.

Endrick gives hope

It was only in the final minutes that Palmeiras managed to have a minimum of articulation on the field and, once again, the team showed how lethal it can be.

In the 46th minute, Rony placed the ball in the area and gave the precocious talent in green and white a chance to appear. Endrick anticipated the marking and reduced the advantage with a header, at 46, in the team’s only shot in the initial stage.

Second time

After the break, Palmeiras came back more incisive. The team stopped being stuck in the defense field and went out into the game. It once again had the appearance of a team that is always competitive.

Thus, with a long-range shot from Richard Ríos, he almost managed to tie the match.

Palmeiras more offensive

Then, coach Abel Ferreira dismantled the line of three defenders, bringing on Estêvão and Luis Guilherme. However, it was other substitutions made later on that made the difference.

In the 35th minute, Lázaro received a precise throw from Flaco López and touched the goalkeeper’s path to tie the match.

But the winning team wanted more and achieved a heroic victory in stoppage time. In the 49th minute, Luis Guilherme took a shot out of the hat and secured a score that seemed unlikely.

A clear sign that Palmeiras can reinvent itself within the same game – whether at altitude or against an opponent who seemed superior in the match.

Independiente Del Valle 2 x 3 Palmeiras

Independence Del Valle

Moisés Ramírez; Landázuri, Carabajal, Schunke and Caicedo; Zabala (Mercado), Ortiz, Renato Ibarra (Arroyo), Kendry Páez and Romario Ibarra (Medina); Hoyos (Renzo López). Technician: Javier Gandolfi

Palm trees

Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez and Luan (Caio Paulista); Mayke (Luis Guilherme), Aníbal Moreno, Richard Ríos, Raphael Veiga (Estêvão) and Piquerez; Endrick (Lázaro) and Ron (Vanderlan). Technician: Abel Ferreira

Goals
Kendry Paéz (11min1ºT) and Hoyos (37min1ºT), from Independiente Del Valle
Endrick (46min1ºT), Lázaro (35min2ºT) and Luis Guilherme (49min2ºT), from Palmeiras

Yellow cards
Hoyos, Ortiz, Caicedo (Independiente Del Valle); Vanderlan (Palmeiras)

Reason: third round of the Copa Libertadores
Date and time: April 24, 2024, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time)
Local: Banco de Guayaquil Stadium, in Quito (Ecuador)

Referee: Cristian Garay (Chile)
Auxiliaries: José Retamal (Chile) and Gabriel Ureta (Chile)
Video referee: Fernando Vejar (Chile)

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