Melgar Faces Cerro Porteño in Crucial Copa Libertadores Clash

AREQUIPA, Peru — FBC Melgar will face Cerro Porteño today, March 5, 2025, in the first leg of the third round of the Copa Libertadores 2025. Under the guidance of coach Walter Ribonetto, Melgar aims for a strong start to their campaign after a solid qualifying performance.

The ‘rojinegros’ enter the match with high hopes after a narrow 1-0 victory against Deportes Tolima in the prior round, courtesy of a stunning goal from Kenji Cabrera. However, their subsequent performance in the return leg raised concerns as they struggled to maintain ball possession throughout the match.

Following their successful qualification, Melgar’s scheduled match against Juan Pablo II in the Apertura Tournament was postponed due to poor stadium conditions at Mansiche Stadium. Melgar advanced to the third round with an aggregate score of 2-0 over Tolima.

In facing a formidable opponent like Cerro Porteño, Melgar understands they must improve upon their previous showing. Cerro Porteño had a resounding 7-1 aggregate victory over Venezuela’s Monagas in the second round, demonstrating their strength. This statistic adds pressure on the Peruvian club as they prepare for this challenging encounter.

Although Cerro Porteño faced political issues delaying their travel from Venezuela, they arrived in Peru Wednesday morning ready to compete. A club official explained the circumstances that prevented their earlier travel, highlighting the complicated relationship between the Peruvian and Venezuelan governments.

The match will take place at the Monumental Stadium of the UNSA, beginning at 5:00 PM local time. In various other time zones, kick-off will be at 4:00 PM in Mexico, 6:00 PM in Venezuela and Bolivia, and 7:00 PM in Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile.

Fans in Peru can watch the match live on ESPN and stream it on Disney Plus. Comprehensive coverage will also be provided by Infobae Peru, featuring pre-match analysis and real-time updates.

This encounter marks the first time Melgar and Cerro Porteño will meet in the Copa Libertadores, adding to the excitement. However, Melgar has faced other Paraguayan teams before; they achieved victories against Sol de América back in 1982, while their encounters with Olimpia ended in defeats.

With both teams aware that the aggregate score will determine advancement, Melgar’s performance in this fixture is crucial. If they can secure a favorable result at home, they’ll have a significant advantage heading into the second leg in Paraguay on March 12.

Walter Ribonetto’s team will be keen to break away from past setbacks against Paraguayan teams and forge a new path in the continental tournament. Should Melgar advance to the group stage, it would signal a historic moment in which multiple Peruvian clubs are vying for the title.