The scene was set at the Rogelio Livieres Stadium for a thrilling match. Fans packed the stands, their excitement palpable. They were there to witness what seemed like another solid performance from Cerro Porteño. Early on, it looked like a routine win was on the cards.
Cerro Porteño took control of the game quickly. At 27 minutes in, tensions soared. Morel struck the ball, which hit Mendoza’s hand. VAR intervened, and a penalty was called for the visitors. The atmosphere intensified. Robert Piris Da Motta stepped up, his shot a powerful affair that Samudio managed to deflect. But wait! The referee ordered a retake due to encroachment. This time, Piris Da Motta made no mistake. The crowd erupted; the score was 1-0.
As the first half was drawing to a close, things got worse for the hosts. Fernando Fernández breezed through the defense, effortlessly sidestepping Samudio to net his team’s second goal. It felt like a dagger to the heart for the Sportivo Trinidense supporters. Two goals down, the challenge seemed monumental. Who would have predicted what lay ahead?
Enter the second half. Fans held their breath. The home side needed a lifeline. And they got it just minutes in. Milton Maciel darted behind the defenders, his shot rebounding into the path of Paul Charpentier. He slotted it away, igniting hope in Trinidad. Suddenly, the once-muted cheers erupted into a symphony of encouragement and determination. Could they really claw this one back?
Cerro Porteño now looked rattled. Their missed opportunities amplified tension. They had several chances yet couldn’t put the game to bed. The specter of failure loomed large. And there it was! In the 67th minute, Maciel was at it again, sending in a pinpoint cross for Luis De La Cruz. With a deft header, he leveled the score at 2-2. The stadium, once silent, roared back to life. It was a complete turnaround.
As the minutes ticked by, the energy surged. Both teams scrapped for dominance. The pivotal moment came in the 74th minute. Marcos Riveros nearly scored directly from a corner, hitting the post. The rebound fell perfectly for Charpentier, who applied the finishing touch. Shock and jubilation washed over the fans. Their team had turned a 0-2 deficit into a 3-2 victory. It was remarkable, truly.
This loss marked a fifth consecutive defeat for Cerro Porteño. It seemed the wheels were coming off just as the season was reaching its critical juncture. Meanwhile, Sportivo Trinidense celebrated a much-needed triumph after a disappointing draw in the previous week. The triumph brought renewed hope, reminding everyone that in soccer, as in life, comebacks do happen. Was this a turning point? Only time will tell.
