Uruguayan Primera Division Wrap: Defensor go three points clear

Defensor Sporting have extended their lead in the Uruguayan Primera Division to three points with a 1-0 win over Penarol on Sunday.

Ignacio Risso scored the only goal of the game for Defensor, who cemented a three-point lead at the top of the table after third-placed Nacional defeated second-placed River Plate 2-1.

In the Montevideo derby, Penarol almost took the lead early on but Defensor goalkeeper Martin Campana got down quickly to save a direct free-kick, while Juan Manuel Olivera’s volley was blocked away by one of the home side’s defenders.

Defensor edged ahead just a minute before half-time as Risso got on the end of Emilio Zeballos’ cut-back to score from close range.

Georgian de Arrascaeta slipped Zeballos in behind Penarol’s defence and the 20-year-old cut the ball back to the six-yard box, taking the visitors’ goalkeeper out of play and handing Risso a simple finish.

Defensor held on for their fifth victory in six matches, which took them three points clear at the top of the Primera Division table and that lead was confirmed on Monday when Nacional stunned River Plate at home.

River Plate took the lead at the Estadio Centenario when Cristian Techera scored in the 18th minute but Nacional led at half-time after goals to Israel Damonte (26th minute) and Adrian Romero (43rd minute).

The hosts’ chances of joining Defensor on 22 points at the top of the table were effectively dashed when Luis Torrecilla was sent off for a second bookable offence with eight minutes remaining.

The win saw Nacional move to third on 19 points, only behind River Plate on goal difference, while Danubio (18 points) rose to fourth with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Racing.

Having been behind on two occasions in the first half, Danubio hit back after the break with a double from Sergio Leal; the 30-year-old forward scoring the winner in the 90th minute.

In other results in Uruguay’s top division, Juventud de Las Piedras claimed a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Cerro Largo thanks to a second-half hat-trick from Matias Alonso, while Wanderers knocked off Bella Vista 2-0.

Cerro drew 2-2 with El Tanque Sisley, Central Espanol overcame Progreso 1-0 and Liverpool could only manage a 1-1 draw away to Fenix.