Palestino proved stronger as a visitor, delivering a knockout blow to their student rival and climbing to the 2nd spot, pushing Estudiantes de Mérida out of the qualifying zone.
Group H shrank in significance because Fortaleza dominated every match, while San Lorenzo showed fragility. The Copa Sudamericana presented a rich opportunity for Palestino, who seized second place with the win and faced an old foe. In a familiar setting, Palestino’s players looked to a performance in Mérida as a blueprint for success, aiming to strike twice with one shot and cement one of the best tetracolor campaigns at the international level. The team emerged as a favorite for the standings, positioned for the playoffs with Libertadores implications, and leaving a rival behind that had not yet joined the chase.
The Palestino side took the lead when Bryan Carrasco converted from a penalty kicked by Édison Penilla against Misael Dávila, then held the advantage for a solid half hour before Bruno Barticciotto sealed the moment with a swift turn by Luis Arenas. While the home team pressed, Penilla’s double warning at the end of the first half put Palestino on high alert and shaped the final balance of the period.
Additionally, Vitamina Sánchez’s Tino Tino, always respectful of the opposition, carried out a thorough performance, while Carrasco had already doubled his tally. Agustín Farías added his fourth, and José Alexis Doldán scored against Estudiantes, lifting Palestino above San Lorenzo and keeping the Brazilians in sight but with the status and odds markedly improved for the Chilean squad.
94′ FINAL! Palestino secured a 5-1 victory and sits firmly in the qualifying zone.
83′ GOAL! José Alexis Doldán found the net in a miscue that led to an own goal, further condemning Estudiantes de Mérida. The sequence followed a left-sided combination that turned unlucky for the hosts.
73′ GOAL! Captain Agustín Farías extended the margin to three with Palestino’s fourth, a right-footed strike from the middle of the box after a high recovery.
69′ GOAL! Bryan Carrasco began to stamp definitive numbers with a right-footed strike from outside the area, beating Velásquez, and Tino completed a 3-1 scoreline.
62′ GOAL! The winger sought the corner and Velásquez produced a feline save in another tight moment for Palestino in Venezuela.
45+5′ Palestino carried a 2-1 lead into the break after a tense first half.
45+4′ ÉDISON PENILLA was sent off after a second yellow for a foul on Misael Dávila, leaving Estudiantes with ten men for the second half.
33′ GOAL! Luis Sand struck a crucial goal for the visitors with a precise right-footed finish after a break from the tetracolor line, turning the game in Palestino’s favor.
26′ GOAL! Tino Tino doubled down as Bruno Barticiotto assisted and then finished decisively, momentarily lifting Palestino ahead in the standings.
24′ GOAL! Palestino widened the lead with a center-defining strike by Bryan Carrasco that fooled the goalkeeper Velásquez.
21′ PENALTY! Penilla converted to Dávila with the referee applying the maximum sanction, giving Palestino a meaningful advantage early in the match.
SORRYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
— Palestino Sports Club (CDPalestinoSADP)
1′ The action is underway in Mérida as Estudiantes and Palestino begin their duel!
Lineups are confirmed in full.
The teams are in the stadium and ready to play.
Dress rooms prepared for both squads.
This report reflects the match details as recorded for the competition.
(Goal)