Independiente del Valle defeats Corinthians 2-0 in the first leg of Copa Sudamericana semifinals

The Sangolqui team only needs a draw in the second leg, which will be played on September 25 at the Olímpico Atahualpa Stadium in Quito, to advance to the final of the competition. They can also reach the final even if they suffer a one-goal defeat.

If they advance, they will face the winner of the series between Brazilian team Atlético Mineiro and Argentine team Colón in the final, which will be played on November 9 at the La Nueva Olla Azulgrana Stadium in Asunción.

The Ecuadorian club reached the semifinals after eliminating Argentine team Independiente.

With their victory at the Arena Corinthians, they ended a 14-game unbeaten streak for the Sao Paulo team in the Sudamericana.

Independiente del Valle surprised in the first half with several goal attempts, which included an own goal by Gil that was disallowed by VAR due to an offside position by Colombian player Cristian Dájome.

But as promised by coach Miguel Ángel Ramírez, the Ecuadorian team did not play defensively. They attacked mainly through forward Gabriel Torres and individual plays by Efrén Mera.

The Brazilian team tried to counterattack and pushed their defensive line forward, but the Ecuadorian team continued to surprise and threaten to score at any moment.

The persistence paid off in the 44th minute when Gabriel Torres scored on a counterattack. Although the goal was initially disallowed for offside, VAR confirmed it was touched by the Brazilian player Gabriel before reaching the Panamanian forward, and the goal was validated.

Seeking a victory at home, Corinthians coach Fabio Carille decided to take risks and refreshed his attack at the start of the second half by replacing Clayson and Gabriel with Gustagol and Matheus Jesús.

The changes gave Corinthians more offensive power, and in the first seven minutes, they had two clear opportunities to equalize with Vágner Love, who failed to convert.

Pedrinho, the Brazilian U-23 player who has become one of Corinthians' decisive players, and substitute Gustagol also helped the team attack and threatened to score.

Amid Corinthians' dominance, Gabriel Torres missed an opportunity in the 65th minute when he kicked a shot wide just a few meters from Cássio's goal.

However, four minutes later, he did not fail when he received a pass from Alejandro Cabeza and calmly touched the ball to increase the lead.

The goal practically defined the result, although Corinthians, with three forwards on the field, continued to attack but with more caution to avoid another deadly counterattack.

Independiente del Valle only stopped trying to score in the 85th minute when Ramírez finally substituted forward Efrén Mera for a more defensive player, Luis Fernando León.

Match details:

Corinthians: Cássio; Fágner, Manoel, Gil, Danilo Avelar; Gabriel (Matheus Jesús, 45'), Júnior Urso, Mateus Vital, Pedrinho (Janderson, 82'); Clayson (Gustavo, 45') and Vágner Love.

Coach: Fabio Carille.

Independiente del Valle: Jorge Pinos; Anthony Landázuri, Richard Schunke, Luis Segovia, Ángelo Preciado; Alan Franco, Cristian Pellerano, Jhon Sánchez (Washington Corozo, 77'), Efrén Mera (Luis Fernando León, 85'), Cristian Dájome (Alejandro Cabeza, 68'); and Gabriel Torres.

Coach: Miguel Ángel Ramírez.

Goals: 0-1, 44': Gabriel Torres. 0-2, 69': Gabriel Torres.

Referee: Leodán González (Uruguay). Yellow cards: Gabriel, Cristian Dájome, Fágner, Anthony Landázuri.

Attendance: Approximately 37,000 spectators at the Arena Corinthians.