Racing’s Narrow Libertadores Win in Quito Keeps Qualification Hopes Alive

The Academy visited Quito for a pivotal Libertadores qualifier, aiming to keep alive their chances of advancing from Group A. The 2023 squad, led by Fernando Gago, presents two clear faces. One appears in the domestic league: a team that struggles to climb beyond the middle of the table. The other emerges in international clashes, where they rise to the occasion and show their true value. In this match, the visitors claimed a 2-1 win over Aucas in Ecuador on the fourth matchday of Group A, narrowly preserving their path to the knockout rounds.

The opening minutes saw Racing seize the lead through a well-executed finish by Nicolas Reniero, who capitalized on miscommunication within the central defense and slotted the ball across the goal to open the scoring. The early advantage allowed the visitors to manage the tempo, keeping control of the rhythm and avoiding a wholesale push from the home side as they searched for an equalizer.

With the clock in their favor, Racing demonstrated patience and discipline, resisting the home team’s attempts to turn the tide. As the game progressed, the pace intensified, and the away side converted a decisive moment of precision into a second goal. Gabriel Rojas, entering the opponent’s half at the 69th minute, found space and finished clinically, strengthening the lead and signaling an improving performance from the visitors.

During stoppage time, Romulo Otero unleashed a stunning free-kick from distance, bending the ball into the corner despite a lengthy gap to the goalkeeper. The strike underscored Racing’s attacking threat but could not alter the final outcome, as the clock already leaned heavily in favor of the visitors. In the end, a few late attempts from Aucas failed to alter the result and the scoreline stood firm.

Racing climbed to the top of their group block with ten points, leaving their qualification situation in their own hands. A Flamengo victory over Ñublense in Chile would seal progress to the knockout rounds for the Argentine side, who had established a strong position heading into the final rounds of the group stage.

Copa Libertadores 2023: matchups, kickoff times, and schedule updates continued to draw attention from fans and pundits alike, as teams navigated the complexities of a demanding tournament calendar. In Quito, the crowd’s energy reflected the stakes at hand, and the match lived up to the excitement associated with this continental competition.

Next, GOAL will provide ongoing coverage of the match actions as the competition unfolds.

AUCAS – RACING MINUTE BY MINUTE

• The minute by minute between the Idolo de Quito and the Academy.

• AUCAS GOAL! Otero pulls one back, but it isn’t enough to change the outcome.
• RACING TARGET! The Academy doubles the advantage as Gabriel Rojas finds the net, beginning to seal the result.
• RACING TARGET! A slow start gave way to Nicolas Reniero opening the scoring for the visitors.
• Good evening and welcome to another GOAL broadcast. Aucas faces Racing on the fourth matchday of the Libertadores group stage, hosted at Chillogallo Stadium.

THE TARGET EXAMPLE

HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING

The Quito clash between the Idolo and the Academy aired on Fox Sports in Argentina. Across most of South America, the game was available on Fox Sports 2. For streaming, Star+ carried the match in Mexico and other South American markets.

FORMATIONS

AUCAS

Damian Frascarelli; Erick Castillo, Wilker Angel, Luis Canga, Carlos Cuero; Edison Caicedo, Jhonny Quiñónez, Marcos Mejía, Edison Vega, Romulo Otero; John Cifuentes. DT: Cesar Farias.

TO RACE

Gabriel Arias; Facundo Mura, Leonardo Sigali, Gonzalo Piovi, Gabriel Rojas; Juan Nardoni, Aníbal Moreno, Jonatan Gomez; Maxi Moralez, Nicolas Reniero and Nicolas Oroz. DT: Fernando Gago.

Source: Goal