📹 Cruzeiro withstand pressure and beat Barcelona-EQU in Liberta opener | OneFootball

At Monumental Stadium in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Cruzeiro beat Barcelona 1-0 this Tuesday (7) in their opening match of the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores.

Returning to the continental tournament after seven years, Raposa had to withstand the pressure from the Ecuadorian crowd, which packed the stadium.

With the ball rolling, Cruzeiro, while not troubled much defensively, also created very little.

The best chance of the first half was a good shot from Christian, but it was saved by the goalkeeper.

After the break, however, in less than 10 minutes, Cabuloso opened the scoring through Matheus Pereira, who rose unmarked to head in a cross from the right.

Relying on relentless pressure, Barcelona de Guayaquil pushed forward in the final minutes, but without seriously threatening the goal defended by Matheus Cunha.

Cruzeiro, in turn, had the chance to extend the lead in stoppage time, but Chico da Costa missed alone RIGHT UNDER THE CROSSBAR.

🚦 How it stands

With the win in their opener, Cruzeiro top Group D with three points.

Boca Juniors are beating Universidad Católica, also 1-0, and could share first place with the Minas Gerais side.

Raposa return to action next Sunday (12), when they host RB Bragantino at Mineirão in the 11th round of the Brasileirão.

In the Libertadores, Cruzeiro still have first-phase matches against Universidad Católica on 15/04 at Mineirão, Boca Juniors on 28/04 at Mineirão, Católica again on 06/05 in Chile, Boca once more at La Bombonera on 19/05, and Barcelona de Guayaquil on 28/05 at Mineirão.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 MARCOS PIN - AFP or licensors