Olimpia secured a remarkable victory over their eternal rivals, Cerro Porteño, clinching the Paraguayan Superclásico with a final score of 2-1 this Sunday at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco, marking their fourth consecutive win of the tournament.
Initially, it seemed like it would be Cerro Porteño's day when Juan Manuel Iturbe opened the scoring with a left-footed strike just after the half-hour mark. Iturbe capitalized on a defensive error from Olimpia's Richard Ortiz, who lost possession under pressure from Francisco da Costa. Iturbe's precision shot found the back of the net, sending the Cerro fans wild with excitement.
Yet, the lead was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Derlis González equalized for Olimpia, showing great composure inside the penalty area. Following a save from Cerro’s goalkeeper Roberto Junior Fernández, the ball deflected off Iván Leguizamón, presenting González with another chance at goal. This time, he made no mistake, securing the equalizer and restoring hope for the Franjeados.
The first half ended with both sides having opportunities, but it was Olimpia who stepped up their game after the break. Displaying sharper focus and determination, they took the lead on 70 minutes when Rodney Redes scored after receiving a clever pass from Darío Benedetto. Redes, ever the opportunist, sent the ball beyond Fernández, cementing Olimpia’s control over the match.
Cerro Porteño struggled to respond effectively after falling behind, finding themselves trapped by Olimpia's solid defense and losing their rhythm. Martín Palermo’s side displayed resilience but little creativity, unable to generate meaningful chances against their rival.
The statistics revealed the match's narrative distinctly. Though Cerro Porteño initially maintained more possession and attempted multiple shots, it was Olimpia's clinical finishing and strategic play which truly shined. Olimpia's plan to absorb pressure and counter was rewarding, as shown by their ability to strike not once, but twice.
This victory holds historical significance as well; it leveled the head-to-head record of Superclásicos between these two titans of Paraguayan football. Each club now has 112 wins against each other, with 102 matches ending in draws. The overall record includes 368 official encounters, with Olimpia holding 129 official victories to Cerro’s 123, along with 116 draws.
Post-match comments highlighted the disappointment from Cerro Porteño's players. Robert Piris da Motta expressed the frustration felt after failing to secure victory, emphasizing the team’s need to convert their chances. "There are important matches we need to address, and it hurts not being able to win. We played well, but we have to score goals," he lamented.
Following the match, Olimpia celebrated not only the victory but also the psychological edge they continue to build over their rivals. The club's social media teams took the opportunity to post pointed remarks aimed at Cerro, stating, "No es un escudo, es tu miedo hecho historia,” emphasizing their status as the most successful club throughout Paraguayan football’s history.
Now, with 13 points, Olimpia sits firmly in the chase for the title, ranked second only to Libertad, who leads the competition. Cerro Porteño, on the other hand, languishes with just eight points, finding themselves currently positioned fourth. The stakes will rise even higher as both teams look toward future matches, with Olimpia aiming to extend their dominance and Cerro searching for redemption.
This latest installment of the Paraguayan Superclásico not only provided thrilling entertainment but solidified Olimpia's place as a perennial powerhouse, capable of rising to the occasion when it matters the most. The rivalry remains fierce, with fans left wondering how each side will respond as the tournament progresses.