Deportivo Capiata wins at Universitario to stay alive in Copa Libertadores

Things weren't looking good for Deportivo Capiata in the Copa Libertadores. The Paraguayan club, which was only formed in 2008 and is making its debut in the tournament, suffered a 3-1 loss at home in the first leg of its second-stage tie against Club Universitario de Deportes. Three away goals would be needed in Lima, Peru for Diego Galivan's side to progress.

The second leg took place Thursday night at Estadio Monumental U, and Deportivo Capiata took the pitch determined to find those three goals. Only 13 minutes into the match, Roberto Gamarra pulled one goal back for the club, heading a cross over the outstretched fingertips of Carlos Caceda and quickly grabbing the ball so no time would be wasted. Then, in the 34th minute, the Paraguayan forward levelled the tie on aggregate, collecting a through ball and beating the Peruvian 'keeper once again.

But, because of Universitario's three goals in the first leg, Los Cremas still held the away-goals tiebreaker entering the interval.

Needing one goal in the second half to keep its debut in the Copa Libertadores alive, Deportivo Capiata completed its operation in the 67th minute, as Dionisio Perez one-timed a low cross past Caceda and produced a wild celebration.

Perez's goal was a deserved punishment for Universitario, which seemed intent on sleeping through the second leg and moved the ball at a sloth-like pace for the duration of the game. Only once had such a deficit been overturned in the Copa Libertadores. In 2008, Club America fell 4-2 to Flamengo in the first leg of a tie before scoring three goals at the Maracana to advance to the quarter-finals.

With Deportivo Tachira and Universitario crossed off Deportivo Capiata's hit list, the Paraguayan club will look to continue its impressive debut at the Copa Libertadores in the third round against Atletico Paranaense.