Santos accomplished their objective on Ecuadorian soil. The Brazilian side played out a scoreless draw against Macará in Ambato and secured their ticket to the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals thanks to the 2-1 victory they earned a week earlier in Brazil.
CONMEBOL Sudamericana
(VIDEO) Santos Eliminate Macará and Advance to Copa Sudamericana Quarterfinals
Santos took advantage of their first-leg lead and, after a 0-0 draw against Macará in Ecuador, secured a place in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals, where they will face Atlético Mineiro.… Show More
Santos took advantage of their first-leg lead and, after a 0-0 draw against Macará in Ecuador, secured a place in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals, where they will face Atlético Mineiro.
The team coached by Cuca managed its advantage throughout virtually the entire match and avoided taking unnecessary risks against a Macará side that needed to score to keep its historic run in the continental tournament alive.
📺 The Great Conquest in the Sudamericana, LIVE on beIN SPORTS
Santos Control Their Advantage at Altitude in Ambato
Playing at approximately 2,500 meters above sea level influenced Santos' approach, as the Brazilian side focused on controlling the tempo, maintaining possession whenever possible and remaining defensively organized against the Ecuadorian team's attacks.
The Brazilian side closed down spaces throughout the first half and looked to capitalize on counterattacks to put the tie beyond reach. Chances came, but a lack of precision in front of goal and saves from goalkeeper Rodrigo Rodríguez kept the score at 0-0.
Macará, needing a result, attempted to push further forward but struggled to break through the defensive structure established by Cuca.
One of the visitors' clearest opportunities came around the 60th minute, when Willian Arão connected with a header that went just wide of the left post.
Macará Bow Out After Historic Campaign
Although elimination marks the end of the road for Macará, the team coached by Guillermo Sanguinetti can look back on a historic campaign. The Ambato side advanced from the preliminary stage, finished unbeaten in its group and reached the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 for the first time.
They even managed to put Santos under pressure in the first leg by taking an early lead before goals from Gabriel Barbosa and Willian Arão turned the match around for the Brazilian side.
Those two goals ultimately proved enough to decide the series. Following the 0-0 draw in Ecuador, Santos advanced 2-1 on aggregate and will now face Atlético Mineiro for a place in the Copa Sudamericana semifinals.
Show Less
