In a clash of titans, Colombian and Chilean squads joined forces in a venue favored by Boca Juniors.
The opening of Group F in the Copa Libertadores remained led by Boca and Monagas as Pereira and Colo Colo started their campaign with a one-goal draw, postponing the festival of highlights for the days ahead. The champions of Colombia and Chile both understood the Boca power, and they approached a humid debut with altitude and conditions that suggested the Cacique, aiming to make Mano history, would begin by pressing from the outset. They moved with intent, testing Aldair Quintana, who barely fouled Bolados and could not stop Leonardo Gil’s penalty, which had to be retaken after an initial stoppage by Carlos Ramírez.
In the second half, Mirroring a home crowd’s fervor, Matecaña intensified their approach with quick transitions from defense to attack, while Colo Colo gradually shifted to a more cautious stance. Ángelo Rodríguez finally broke the stalemate nine minutes from regular time, echoing the night’s drama as Brayan Cortés produced saves of every conceivable kind. The South American champions left Santiago with a point they might have traded for three, yet could also claim none at all.
Ramiro González: “The rival didn’t surprise us; we studied them during the week. We lacked clarity to clinch the win when we were ahead. Still, a draw feels fair. Now we must focus on the home game.”
– Colo Colo
Gustavo Quinteros: “All teams want to advance and collect three points.”
– Colo Colo
Gustavo Quinteros: “The draw is fair; if we win at home in the next match, this point will be appreciated even more.”
– Colo Colo
Ramiro González: “We had a great first half, neutralizing their start. The second half belonged more to the rivals, and we left with a slightly bitter taste. We know we can play a big game at home with our people.”
– Colo Colo
Gustavo Quinteros: “It was a draw. We started strong in the first half. They made it tough in the second half with long balls into the box. We had chances in the second half and we missed them.”
– Colo Colo
90 minutes: Courteous! Indio stood as a providential figure, denying both a corner and a close-range shot by Larry Angulo with his chest, as the White defense was tested. 81 minutes: Aladesanmi turned and Ángelo Rodríguez charged the partial equalizer for Pereira, who had been chasing him for some time. 77 minutes: Courteous! An Iquiqueño Albo prevented a goal with his feet as Aladesanmi barely pushed the ball away in a crowded area. 66 minutes: Gill! Fuentes crossed, Colorado deflected first and the ball drifted wide. Colo Colo remained energized, continuing to create chances. 52 minutes: Quintana, with his feet, rescued a goal from the inside edge of Damián Pizarro in a back-and-forth encounter. 50 minutes: Brayan flew to the right to force a corner after Carlos Ramírez’s left-footed shot found the angle, captaincy shifting after Vásquez’s exit. 45 plus 5 minutes: The first half ended with Colo Colo ahead by the narrowest margin. 35 minutes: Quintana performed another heroic save, denying Marcos Bolados a clear, scoreless chance with Fuentes assisting. 24 minutes: Leonardo Gil struck again, beating the keeper with a precise instep shot to put Pereira ahead. 20 minutes: Carlos Ramírez advanced into the box and the ensuing penalty was retaken. 19 minutes: Quintana stopped the initial effort after a cross from Gil, showing off again. 17 minutes: Layup and punishment as Gil drew Bolados and Quintana converted the penalty after a handball. 2 minutes: Damian Pizarro’s early penalty was saved as the young striker mishit. The starting eleven reaffirmed their names in the lineup. These are the eleven players who would represent the club in their official Libertadores debut for the GRANDE MATECAÑA. Let’s go, Matecañas, as another chapter closes in their ongoing story. ❤️
– Deportivo Pereira
—
[citation] Goal