Peñarol secured a crucial victory this Tuesday at the Campeón del Siglo stadium, beating Argentine Racing Club 1-0 in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. The only goal came in the 78th minute and was scored by striker David Terans, who came off the bench to replace one of the team’s key players, Leonardo Fernández, who was injured in the first half. This result gives the Uruguayans a slight advantage heading into the second leg on August 19 at El Cilindro stadium in Avellaneda.

A match marked by intensity and few clear chances

The game started with a high level of intensity marked by fouls: 12 committed by Racing and 3 by Peñarol, which affected the flow of play and left little room for collective football. Both teams mostly relied on long balls, well controlled by the defenses, creating few opportunities for elaborate attacks.

At 22 minutes, the home side suffered a blow when Leonardo Fernández, their creative number 10, had to leave the pitch due to injury, casting doubt on his availability for the second leg. On the visitors’ side, Gastón Martinera nearly put his team ahead with a goal, but it was ruled offside. Later, controversy arose when Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, after consulting VAR, decided not to send off Adrián Martínez for a foul on full-back Maximiliano Olivera.

In the final minutes of the first half, visiting goalkeeper Gabriel Arias had to make a crucial save to deny Maximiliano Silvera, whose powerful shot hit the crossbar. Despite the excitement, the half ended goalless.

The second half kept the same intensity with numerous fouls but few genuine scoring chances. The goalkeepers were barely tested, except for some off-target shots by David Terans and a close attempt from Matías Arezo that grazed the outside of the net. Meanwhile, Racing struggled to trouble home keeper Brayan Cortés.

The decisive moment came in the 78th minute. After a cross from Diego García that Matías Arezo skillfully laid off into the center of the box, Terans beat Arias to the ball and headed it in, breaking the deadlock and sparking celebrations from the thousands of fans who packed the stadium.

With this win, Peñarol takes a narrow lead in the tie that will be decided in Buenos Aires, where Racing will look to overturn the deficit and stay alive in the Copa Libertadores.