River Plate is surprised by a determined Cerro Porteño who dreams of qualifying for the Copa Libertadores semifinals. The team led by Miguel Ángel Russo needs two goals to knock out the 'Millonarios', so they fight for every ball as if it were their last. Haedo Valdéz took it too far and it could have cost him a red card.
The Paraguayan forward went for the ball with his legs up and ended up hitting Exequiel Palacios, who remained on the field for several seconds feeling the impact. The Argentine players went to referee Julio Bascuñán to demand his expulsion, but he decided to review the play in the VAR.
After watching the video, the referee decided that he should only show a yellow card and give a warning. Controversy immediately arose since such a hard tackle is usually punished with a sending-off.
Terrible tackle by Nelson Haedo Valdéz. (Fox Sports)
River Plate comes into this match against Cerro Porteño after winning the first leg at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires with a score of 2-0. The goals from the current Copa Libertadores champions were scored by Ignacio Fernández and Rafael Santos Borré through a penalty.
The winner of this match will face Boca Juniors in the semifinals of the 2019 Copa Libertadores. Boca Juniors defeated Liga de Quito last Wednesday. They drew 0-0 at La Bombonera, but had already won 3-0 in the first leg in Ecuador.
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