Alianza Lima and Universidad de Chile played to a 0-0 draw on Thursday at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima, closing out the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals in a tightly contested match.

The deadlock was nearly broken in the 44th minute when Ecuadorian midfielder Fernando Gaibor fired home a low strike that beat the keeper and sent Alianza fans into celebration. However, the joy was short-lived, as VAR revealed a handball by Kevin Quevedo in the buildup, leading Brazilian referee Ramón Abatti to disallow the goal.

In the second half, Alianza pushed harder in search of the win, committing more players forward and taking defensive risks. That approach backfired in the 63rd minute when Carlos Zambrano was shown a second yellow card, leaving the Peruvian side down to ten men.

Coach Néstor Gorosito made attacking substitutions to keep the pressure alive, with fresh legs trying to break through Chile’s defense. Despite the effort, Universidad de Chile held firm, organized at the back, and preserved the draw.