Velázquez leads Libertad to Libertadores group phase

(GSM) – Two Pablo Velázquez goals put Paraguay’s Libertad in the 2010 Copa Libertadores group stage after a 3-1 second-leg win over Venezuela’s Deportivo Táchira gave them a 3-2 aggregate triumph.

Despite Libertad firmly controlling the proceedings early, Táchira snatched the advantage completely against the run of play on the half-hour mark.

A corner kick to the center of the area was headed on twice, first by Armando Maita and then José Villafraz, to Pedro Boada, whose half-volley eluded Libertad goalkeeper Bernardo Medina.

Libertad kept up the pressure got their deserved goal in the 40th minute when, after Sanhouse vacated his goal to chase down a loose ball, Rodolfo Gamarra did well to control and fire in from a tough angle on an overhead kick.

In the 68th minute, an attempted clearance by Sanhouse led to Libertad taking a 2-1 lead.

After making the stop on a close-range shot by Rodolfo Gamarra, his kick away deflected off defender Harold Viáfara. Velásquez took full advantage and slotted home to level the tie at 2-2, though Libertad still trailed on away goals.

That situation lasted only until the 82nd minute when Velásquez took fired a phenomenal drive from 25 yards out that beat Sanhouse low to the right post.

Roberto Gamarra could have made it four for Libertad, but missed from the spot late on.

Libertad now advance to play in Group 4 with their first match on 16 February at home against Blooming of Bolivia.