Independiente into final as holders beaten

Independiente into final as holders beaten


Independiente set up a clash with Goias in the Copa Sudamericana final by clinching an away-goals victory over Liga de Quito on Thursday.

Trailing 3-2 to the defending cup holders from the first leg in Ecuador, Independiente had the benefit of home advantage and made it count, securing a 2-1 win for a 4-4 aggregate scoreline.

Facundo Parra put Independiente ahead after 26 minutes, nodded in from close range at the far post after the ball was headed high across goal from the left.

The home side, back on level terms in the tie, threatened to move ahead but wasted chances before their visitors struck in the 45th minute to make it 1-1 on the night and 4-3 in their favour on aggregate. Juan Salgueiro took one touch to buy himself space 22 yards out from goal and crashed a left-footed drive into the bottom right corner.

The second half was then just 30 seconds old when Liga defender Patricio Urrutia made a calamitous error on the edge of his own penalty area. He was far too casual than was called for with a short square pass to a colleague and it was intercepted by Hernan Fredes who could hardly believe his luck as he slotted home from 14 yards. Urrutia was soon substituted and the goal proved decisive.

"We played a great team and we deserved to win," said goalscorer Parra. "We left everything we had on the field, and we're now in great shape to play the final."

The final, another two-leg contest, will be played on 1 and 8 December, with Goias at home in the first match.