LDU achieved a significant 30 victory against Palmeiras in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinals. This match took place at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium in Quito. Coach Tiago Nunes praised Palmeiras, emphasizing the need for his team to stay grounded despite their commanding lead.
Tiago Nunes on the Match Performance
In his postmatch comments, Nunes expressed respect for Palmeiras, noting their consistency and competitiveness in South American football. He remarked, “We studied our opponent thoroughly and understood our strengths. We aimed for a result from the very first minute.”
Dominant First Half by LDU
LDU was overpowering in the first half, scoring all three goals before halftime. The goals were as follows:
- Villamíl opened the scoring in the 16th minute.
- Alzugaray doubled the lead with a penalty in the 26th minute.
- Villamíl struck again just before halftime, in the 46th minute.
Nunes described this as one of his team’s best first halves, not just for the goals, but for their overall performance. He cautioned, however, that while the result was significant, it was not definitive, acknowledging the challenge of the second leg.
Palmeiras’ Resilience
After the match, Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira voiced confidence in his team’s ability to overturn deficits. Nunes agreed with Ferreira, acknowledging Palmeiras’ history of comebacks. He stated, “We are aware of their reputation for turning results. This understanding made us more prepared for the next game.”
Upcoming Clash Details
The second leg is scheduled for October 30, 2025, at 21:30 (Brasília time) at Allianz Parque in São Paulo. LDU needs only a draw to advance, while Palmeiras must win by at least three goals to force a penalty shootout.
Looking Forward to Challenges
LDU’s focus remains solely on the Libertadores semifinals. In contrast, Palmeiras has to juggle its attention with the ongoing Brazilian Championship. Here are the upcoming fixtures for both teams:
| Team | Opponent | Competition | Date | Time (Brasília) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDU | Palmeiras | Copa Libertadores (Return Leg) | October 30, 2025 | 21:30 |
| Palmeiras | Cruzeiro | Campeonato Brasileiro | October 26, 2025 | 20:30 |
The stage is set for what promises to be an intense second leg in São Paulo.