Copa Libertadores Review: Palmeiras fight back for draw, River Plate held

Palmeiras came from behind to salvage a draw with Godoy Cruz in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores last-16 tie, while River Plate were held on Tuesday.

Trailing to a Santiago Garcia brace, Palmeiras rallied to secure a 2-2 draw in Mendoza.

Garcia headed in the opener from close range in the sixth minute before doubling the lead just before the half-hour mark.

However, Felipe Melo brought Palmeiras back into the encounter with a 34th-minute header.

Incredibly, Garcia had a chance to complete his hat-trick before half-time, but the forward had a penalty saved by Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton.

 El Morro García tuvo la chance de ampliar el resultado para @ClubGodoyCruz: Weverton, arquero de @Palmeiras, le atajó el penal #Libertadores pic.twitter.com/Gam6CwAQnV

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) July 24, 2019

The hosts were punished for that miss just before the hour-mark, Miguel Borja taking a Luan pass before a brilliant turn and finish, putting the Brazilians in a decent position ahead of next week’s second leg.

River Plate, defending their title, could be left to rue a late penalty miss after drawing 0-0 at home to Cruzeiro.

Awarded a spot-kick following a VAR review, River – who had the better of the chances throughout – saw Matias Suarez blaze the 99th-minute penalty over the crossbar.

 ¡El penal que falló @RiverPlate en el último segundo! Matías Suárez tuvo la gran posibilidad de quebrar cero ante @Cruzeiro, pero pateó desviado.

 La serie de octavos de final de la #Libertadores se define en Brasil. pic.twitter.com/FTnP1Mi6X4

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) July 24, 2019

In the day’s other game, LDU Quito took a step towards the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win at home to Olimpia.