National defeats Santos in Copa Libertadores

National from Montevideo defeated the powerful Santos from Brazil in the fifth match of Group F in the Copa Libertadores at the Gran Parque Central stadium in the Uruguayan capital, practically assuring their qualification to the tournament's round of 16.

The Uruguayan team relied on their traditional fighting spirit to overcome Santos and put themselves on the verge of qualifying for the Copa Libertadores round of 16. The 0-0 draw between Real Garcilaso and Estudiantes in Cusco benefited the Uruguayan team, who are the only runner-up of the Brazilians in the group.

As expected, the match between Nacional and Santos was intense from the first minute. Both teams went in search of the three points, but it was the Uruguayan team who made better use of the goal opportunities to secure the victory that puts them on the verge of qualification.

The only goal of the match was scored by Uruguayan Leandro Barcia in the 58th minute of the second half. The Uruguayan forward received a pass inside the small area and only had to place his foot to push the ball into the net, sending the fans at the Gran Parque Central in Montevideo into a frenzy.

In the next match, the Uruguayan team will visit Estudiantes in La Plata and a draw will see them qualify for the Copa Libertadores round of 16. Meanwhile, the Argentine team will have to settle for a place in the Copa Sudamericana. Santos has already qualified for the next stage, while Garcilaso finished fourth with no chances of progressing.

Confirmed Line-ups

Nacional

Así #JuegaNacional ante @SantosFC a las 21:30 horas por la fecha 5 del Grupo 6 de la Copa Conmebol Libertadores. #DaleBolso #LaCopaQuieroGanar

Santos

ESTAMOS PRONTOS! #VamosSerTetraSantos #NACxSAN

Preview

Nacional from Uruguay will host Santos from Brazil at 19:30 Peruvian time (00:30 GMT) aiming for a victory that would bring them one step closer to qualifying for the Copa Libertadores round of 16.

The tricolor team goes into the match against the Brazilian team, who are second in Group F of the continental competition, with the motivation of having achieved their first win in this phase against Real Garcilaso with a 4-0 score.

They also come from a victory in the Uruguayan Apertura Tournament against Atenas with a 2-1 score, leaving them one win away from sealing the title.

For the match, the coach will not be able to count on Argentine full-back Gino Peruzzi, who suffered a strain in the back of his right leg, and Jorge Fucile is likely to replace him, with Alfonso Espino taking the left-back position.

On the other hand, Santos comes into the match without central defender Lucas Veríssimo, who is serving a suspension, and winger Eduardo Sasha, who is recovering from an ankle injury.

Defenders Luiz Felipe and Gustavo Henrique are the possible replacements for Veríssimo, while Jonathan Copete will come in for Sasha.

If Santos secures a victory against the tricolores, they will not only confirm their qualification but also secure first place in the group, which they currently lead with nine points.

The previous encounter between the two teams in Brazil ended with a 3-1 victory for Santos.

Possible line-ups: National - Esteban Conde; Alfonso Espino, Diego Polenta, Guzmán Corujo, Jorge Fucile; Christian Oliva, Sebastián Rodríguez; Matías Zunino, Tabaré Viudez, Gonzalo Bueno, and Gonzalo Bergessio. Coach: Alexander Medina. Santos - Vanderlei Farias da Silva; Daniel Guedes, Gustavo Henrique (or Luiz Felipe), David Braz, Dodô; Alison, Jonathan Copete, Léo Cittadini, Jean Mota, Rodrygo; and Gabriel Barbosa. Coach: Jair Ventura. Referee: Wilmar Roldán (Colombia). Time: 19:30 local (00:30 GMT). Stadium: Gran Parque Central in Montevideo.

Source: EFE

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