Independiente Valle vs Libertad

Independiente del Valle dismantled Libertad Asunción 4-1 at the Estadio Banco de Guayaquil to book their place in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16. It was a commanding performance from the Ecuadorian side, with VAR playing a central role across both halves. Junior Sornoza broke the deadlock on 38 minutes before Carlos González made it 2-0 just five minutes later. Lorenzo Melgarejo handed Libertad a lifeline with a first-half stoppage-time reply (45'+3), but Justin Lerma restored the two-goal margin on 64 minutes. Djorkaeff Reasco put a neat bow on proceedings in deep injury time (90'+5). The drama was amplified by a VAR-cancelled penalty for Independiente in the 31st minute and a disallowed Independiente goal shortly after the break — decisions that ultimately did nothing to alter the result. The win locks Independiente del Valle into the knockout stage from Group H, while Libertad Asunción, rooted in fourth, face a tournament exit that looks all but certain.