Penarol Vs Platense, Copa Libertadores: Debutants From Argentina Beat Uruguayan Giants For First Win
CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores debutants Platense bounced back from their opening day defeat to Corinthians with a 2-1 win over five-time champions Penarol at Estadio Campeon del Siglo, Montevideo, on Thursday (April 16, 2026). The Calamares (Squids) took the lead via a Guido Mainero goal in the 22nd minute, only to see the hosts level the score two minutes before the hour mark. Five minutes later, Franco Zapiola sealed the win with a spot kick. The hard-fought victory helped the Argentine Apertura holders move to second in the Group E standings (3 points), behind Corinthians (6). The Uruguayan giants, who last won the continental title in 1987, are third with 1 point, earned from their 1-1 draw at Independiente Santa Fe, the Colombian Apertura champions, on match day 1. Next, Platense will host bottom-place Santa Fe in Buenos Aires, while Penrol will be on the road to take on Corinthians in Brazil.
Players of Argentina's Platense celebrate beating Uruguay's Peñarol in a Copa Libertadores Group E soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay. | Photo: AP/Matilde Campodonico
Luis Angulo of Uruguay's Peñarol reacts after losing to Argentina's Platense in a Copa Libertadores Group E soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay. | Photo: AP/Matilde Campodonico
Leandro Umpierrez of Uruguay's Peñarol, left, carries the ball past Santiago Dalmasso of Argentina's Platense during a Copa Libertadores Group E soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay. | Photo: AP/Matilde Campodonico
Franco Escobar of Uruguay's Peñarol, left, fights for the ball with Tomas Silva of Argentina's Platense during a Copa Libertadores Group E soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay. | Photo: AP/Matilde Campodonico
Franco Zapiola, right, of Argentina's Platense celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal, from the penalty spot, during a Copa Libertadores Group E soccer match against Uruguay's Peñarol in Montevideo, Uruguay. | Photo: AP/Matilde Campodonico
Douglas Arezo of Uruguay's Peñarol celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during a Copa Libertadores Group E soccer match against Argentina's Platense in Montevideo, Uruguay. | Photo: AP/Matilde Campodonico
Supporters of Uruguay's Peñarol cheer their team on during a Copa Libertadores Group E soccer match against Argentina's Platense in Montevideo, Uruguay. | Photo: AP/Matilde Campodonico
Franco Escobar of Uruguay's Peñarol protects the ball from Franco Zapiola of Argentina's Platense during a Copa Libertadores Group E soccer match in Montevideo, Uruguay. | Photo: AP/Matilde Campodonico
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