Copa Libertadores: Alex Arce Hat-Trick Keeps Debutants Independiente Rivadavia Unbeaten
Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia completed a double over Venezuelan Deportivo La Guaira with a 4-2 win in their CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores 2026, Group C return leg at Estadio Olimpico de la UCV, Caracas, on Thursday (May 21). Alex Arce scored his second hat-trick of the tie, while Sebastian Villa added one. The fast-rising 'Azul' previously stunned Brazilian giants Fluminense: 2-1 at Maracana and 1-1 at home. Having already qualified for the knockouts, the debutants from Mendoza will look to keep their unbeaten streak intact when they face second-place Bolivar (5 points) in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Alfredo Berti's men have 13 points from five matches. Meanwhile, Fluminense (5) face winless Deportivo (3) on the final matchday. The top two teams will qualify for the round of 16.
Matias Fernadez of Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia, right, and Jorge Gutierrez of Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores Group C soccer match in Caracas, Venezuela. | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Manuel Sulbaran of Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira, top, and Ezequiel Bonifacio of Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia go for a header during a Copa Libertadores Group C soccer match in Caracas, Venezuela. | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Sebastian Villa of Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia, center, controls the ball during a Copa Libertadores Group C soccer match against Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira in Caracas, Venezuela. | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Alex Arce of Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia, 2nd right, celebrates with teammates scoring his side's 4th goal against Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira during a Copa Libertadores Group C soccer match in Caracas, Venezuela. | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Alex Arce of Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia, center, celebrates scoring his side's 4th goal against Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira during a Copa Libertadores Group C soccer match in Caracas, Venezuela. | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Alex Arce of Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia, left, and Diego Osio of Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores Group C soccer match in Caracas, Venezuela. | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Yackson Rivas of Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira, left, and Matias Fernadez of Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia battle for the ball during a Copa Libertadores Group C soccer match in Caracas, Venezuela. | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Alex Arce of Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia, right, celebrates with Tomas Bottari of Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia after scoring his side's third goal against Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira during a Copa Libertadores Group C soccer match in Caracas, Venezuela. | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
Diego Osio of Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira, left, celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia during a Copa Libertadores Group C soccer match in Caracas, Venezuela. | Photo: AP/Ariana Cubillos
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