Ind. del Valle vs Libertad Asuncion

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.