Two goals from set-pieces helped Group F leaders Libertad of Paraguay to a comfortable win at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa on Thursday, 29 April.
As expected, Germán Burgos rested a number of players ahead of Sunday’s Clásico Rosarino with Cristian Lema, Maxi Rodríguez and Jerónimo Cacciabue all left on the bench.
Daniel Bocanegra opened the scoring in the first-half, heading in a Ivan Franco corner in a crowded Newell’s box. In the second half, as Newell’s pushed for an equalizer, Adrián Martínez finished off a rapid counter attack as Libertad broke from one end of the pitch to the other.
Manuel Capasso was sent off with 6 minutes remaining for a second yellow card before Antonio Bareiro made it three for Libertad after the Newell’s defence failed to clear a lofted free-kick into the box.
In injury-time, Newell’s scored a consolation when Libertad conceded a penalty for handball. Substitute Maxi Rodríguez converted from the spot. The Lepers were reduced to 9 men right at the end with Pablo Pérez received a second yellow card from the Uruguayan referee.
After two matches, Newell’s are without a win in the Copa Sudamericana and sit in 3rd in the group, ahead of bottom-placed Palestino who we play next in the competition.
Watch the highlights of the match below.
