Barcelona Vs Universidad Catolica, Copa Libertadores: Cruzados Walk Away With All Three Points From Guayaquil
Two early goals condemned Ecuadorian giants Barcelona Sporting Club to their third successive defeat in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores 2026 as Universidad Catolica of Chile walked away with all three points from Guayaquil. In a crucial Group D clash on Wednesday (April 29), Fernando Zampedri (17') and Clemente Montes (22') scored in quick succession, then helped Cruzados thwart a valiant fight back from their hosts. For Barcelona, Milton Celiz scored a consolation goal in the 79th minute. The win helped the 1993 finalists leapfrog Boca Juniors of Argentina and Cruzeiro of Brazil. All three teams have six points from three outings, and their positions are decided by head-to-head goals scored. On Tuesday, Cruzeiro defeated Boca Juniors 1-0 at home. The two top teams from the group will advance to the Round of 16 of South America's premier club competition.
Chile's Universidad Catolica players celebrate at the end of Copa Libertadores Group D soccer match against Ecuador's Barcelona in Guayaquil, Ecuador. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Cristian Cuevas of Chile's Universidad Catolica controls the ball challenged by Jefferson Wila of Ecuador's Barcelona during a Copa Libertadores Group D soccer match in Guayaquil , Ecuador. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Milton Celiz of Ecuador's Barcelona celebrates scoring his side's first goal against Chile's Universidad Catolica during a Copa Libertadores Group D soccer match in Guayaquil, Ecuador. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Jefferson Intriago of Ecuador's Barcelona, right, and Alfred Canales of Chile's Universidad Catolica battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores Group D soccer match in Guayaquil, Ecuador. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Justo Giani of Chile's Universidad Catolica, right, is fouled by Alex Rangel of Ecuador's Barcelona during a Copa Libertadores Group D soccer match in Guayaquil, Ecuador. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Clemente Montes of Chile's Universidad Catolica, right, falls as he vies for the ball with Matias Lugo of Ecuador's Barcelona during a Copa Libertadores Group D soccer match in Guayaquil, Ecuador. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Sebastian Arancibia of Chile's Universidad Catolica controls the ball challenged by Hector Villalba of Ecuador's Barcelona during a Copa Libertadores Group D soccer match in Guayaquil, Ecuador. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Fernando Zampedri of Chile's Universidad Catolica, right, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Ecuador's Barcelona during a Copa Libertadores Group D soccer match in Guayaquil, Ecuador. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
Erwin Ampuero of Chile's Universidad Catolica, right, heads the ball during a Copa Libertadores Group D soccer match against Ecuador's Barcelona in Guayaquil, Ecuador. | Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa
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