“Same standard for both sides”: players fume after Libertadores draw

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·7 Mei 2026

“Same standard for both sides”: players fume after Libertadores draw

Cruzeiro left Chile with an important point in the bag after drawing 0-0 with Universidad Católica this Wednesday (6) in the fourth round of the Copa Libertadores group stage. Playing at Claro Arena in Santiago, the team had to play practically the entire second half with one man down after Keny Arroyo was sent off in the opening minutes of the final period.

The referee’s decision sparked strong complaints from Cruzeiro’s players and coaching staff. Colombian referee Andrés Rojas applied different standards throughout the match and had previously shown only yellow cards for plays considered similar in the first half, involving Universidad Católica’s Giani and Cruzeiro’s Lucas Romero. The contrast further increased Cruzeiro’s frustration over the straight red shown to Keny Arroyo early in the second half.

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After the match, Cruzeiro’s players praised the result earned away from home given the adverse circumstances, especially the numerical disadvantage. On their way off the pitch, in interviews with ESPN, defensive midfielder Gerson highlighted the team’s attitude and maturity in withstanding the Chilean pressure.

“Tough game, at the opponent’s home. We know that in football, when you can’t win, you mustn’t lose and you have to pick up points. We went down to one less player there, but we played the way we had to and we’re taking an important point home.”

The midfielder also commented on the heated atmosphere of the match and the taunts on the field, stressing the need for experience to deal with that kind of situation.

“You have to be smart in that moment. They were taking turns fouling. I didn’t just start now, I have experience and you have to know how to handle these moments.”

Matheus Pereira also spoke after the final whistle. The No. 10 acknowledged how difficult the match was and complained about the officiating, especially the lack of consistency in some moments of the game. Even so, the attacking midfielder valued the away draw.

“We knew it would be a difficult game, and in the second half, with one player less, we had to run a little more. Even in the play before that it was a foul, it may even have been a red, but there was a foul before, and we’ve been suffering because of that. I don’t want to blame the refereeing, but they have to keep the same standard for both sides. Given the circumstances, an away draw with one man less is important, it keeps us alive, but knowing the difficulties of a very high-quality group.”

With the draw, Cruzeiro reached seven points and remains alive in the fight for a place in the Libertadores round of 16. The team now turns its attention to the Brazilian Championship, where it will face Bahia away from home next Saturday (9) in the 15th round.

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