📝 Independiente 2 Deportivo Lara 0: El Rojo advance to round of 16 | OneFootball

Independiente prevailed in a winner-take-all match with Venezuela’s Deportivo Lara thanks to goals from Martín Benítez and Emmanuel Gigliotti.

The Argentine club came into Thursday night’s match just one point ahead of Deportivo Lara, needing a win to ensure their place in the knockout stages, as Millonarios sat just two points behind ahead of their match with Group G winners Corinthians.

Martín Benítez certainly didn’t plan to score the opening goal of the match as his low corner took an awkward hop and the Deportivo Lara keeper could not control it. Does that count as an olimpico?

Deportivo Lara had little chance to get a much-needed win as they were only able to muster three shots with their 32% share of possession. These chances were reduced to nearly zero after Daniel Montilla was shown red at the hour mark.

Gigliotti would end all hopes of a comeback in the 81st minute, beating the offside trap and finishing to double the lead late.