Peña-Rolled Over

Uruguayan side Peñarol´s return to the Copa Libertadores lasted just 48 minutes as Independiente Medellín pummeled el Carbonero 4-0 at the Atanasio Girardot in the city of Medellín.

Jackson Martínez showed no mercy to Julio Ribas as he tore apart the aurinegro defense in the air and on the ground. In a span of four minutes El Poderoso had a two-lead courtesy of Jackson. Iván Corredor made it 3-0 in the 34th minute and then Martínez would assure himself of a hat-trick in the second half.

Peñarol was competitive at including some plays that came close to getting past Paraguayan international Aldo Bobadilla, but it was not to be. Peñarol lacked physical intensity as well as the tactical ideas that were needed on the pitch in order to come out of the game with any type of favorable result. The five-time Libertadores champs are facing a grim reality as they will have to win by four or more goals in order to stay alive.

The winner of the tie will end up in Group 4 of the Santander Libertadores along with Uruguayan side Defensor Sporting, reigning Colombian champs América, and three-time Libertadores champs São Paulo.