Sánchez sees red card after 56 minutes
Sánchez was shown a red card at 56 minutes for a double booking, and since then the Ecuadorians concentrated on defending their goal.
Vélez dominates but scores only at the end
The team led by the former Argentinean defender, who had played for Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain, among others, was superior, but only managed to score fourteen minutes before the end of the match.
Centurión stands out as Vélez's key player
Centurión, the star of Vélez and the game, played on the left side of the attack and was the protagonist of most of Vélez's offensive plays.
Vélez almost scores, but Frascarelli saves Aucas
At 32 minutes of the first half, Aucas' Uruguayan goalkeeper Damián Frascarelli made a quick reflex save to deny a goal from Maximiliano Romero after an assist from 'Centu'.
Shortly after, Centurión had his first chance, but the shot went wide and hit a defender, resulting in a corner kick.
Centurión scores the winning goal for Vélez
Centurión scored the 1-0 goal at 76 minutes with a powerful and precise shot from inside the box, after getting rid of his markers with speed and dribbles.
Vélez fails to extend the lead
Heinze motivated his team to seek another goal in order to have a better position for the rematch, but it didn't happen in the end.
Aucas holds on against Vélez's pressure
During the last minutes, Vélez pressed and tried to increase the score, but Aucas held on mainly thanks to Frascarelli's great performance.
Vélez's goalkeeper prevents a counterattack
In the last play of the match, Vélez's Ecuadorian goalkeeper Alexander Domínguez prevented a counterattack by intercepting the ball near the midfield.
Next match at Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda Stadium
The second leg will take place on February 18th at Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda Stadium, popularly known as 'La Caldera del Sur'.