Penarol suffer second consecutive defeat against Wanderers, allowing arch-rivals Nacional to move within one point of them.
Uruguayan giants, Penarol, wasted another opportunity to close in on the Apertura championship, after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Wanderers at the Centenario stadium on Sunday.
It was Penarol's second consecutive defeat, after last week's thrashing at the hands of Liverpool. Despite the loss Penarol still lead the Apertura with 24 points, however, arch-rivals Nacional are within one point of them, with 23 points.
Nacional defeated Rampla Juniors 2-0 on Saturday, and will overtake Penarol if they manage to win next Sunday's highly anticipated superclasico. Meanwhile, Danubio missed out on a glorious opportunity to move top, after being held to a goalless draw by River Plate.
Danubio missed out on an ideal opportunity to overtake Penarol at the top of the league standings after fighting out a goalless draw with River Plate at the Jardines del Hipodromo stadium.
It was River who played the better soccer throughout the game, however, they were kept out by the heroics of Danubio goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea, who made several fine saves. In the 14th minute River were awarded a penalty kick, but Pablo Olivera's effort was saved by Goicoechea.
River continued to be the stronger side in the second half, creating several clear-cut opportunities to go ahead. In the 76th minute Gaston Bueno reduced Danubio to ten-men, and River pushed forward in numbers in search of the winner. It seemed that substitute Sebastian Taborda would give them the three points late on, but somehow he shot wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Nacional moved within one point of arch-rivals Penarol after beating Rampla Juniors 2-0 at the Centenario stadium on Saturday.
Marcelo Gallardo's side dominated their opponents in the first half and created several opportunities to go ahead. They finally went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Matias Abero met a right-wing cross with an easy tap-in at the back post.
Wanderers came more into the match in the second half, and they should have drawn level, but Ismael Espiga missed an incredible chance when he had the goal at his mercy.
Substitute Gonzalo Bueno put the result beyond Rampla Juniors in the 70th minute when he took advantage of a lapse of concentration from the Rampla defense to score Nacional's second goal.
Defensor Sporting thrashed Cerro Largo 3-0 for their sixth victory of the season. With 20 points, Defensor are only four points away from the league leaders.
Despite a 400km trip to Melo, it was Defensor who dominated proceedings in the first period. Veteran striker Ignacio Risso put Defensor ahead in the 33rd minute with a fine close-range header, before Diego Ferreira added their second in the 60th minute when he tapped the ball in from close-range after a free-kick was swung into the area from the left-wing.
Despite being reduced to ten-men with the dismissal of Matias Britos in the 72nd minute, Defensor continued to be the better side and three minutes from full-time Diego Rolan sealed the rout with a spectacular individual goal.
Penarol are at risk of being overtaken at the top of the Uruguayan Apertura championship, after losing their second consecutive match, this time 2-1 to Wanderers at the Centenario stadium on Sunday.
As was the case last week when they lost 3-0 against Liverpool, Penarol couldn't find their feet, and they conceded two goals from Ecuadorian striker Richard Mercado in the 32nd and 34th minutes. Mercado scored from close-range for Wanderers' first and met a precise pass from Antonio Pacheco to blast home his second.
After the break Penarol tried their best to get back into the game, but despite the fact that Santiago Martinez reduced Wanderers to ten-men in the 70th minute, Penarol lacked authority in their attack.
To make matters worse, Penarol striker Marcelo Zalayeta was sent-off late on and will miss next week's superclasico against second-placed Nacional, a match which could go a long way in deciding the title.
Sebastian Rosano pulled a goal back for Penarol in the 90th minute, but the goal came much too late as the referee blew the final whistle shortly after.
It was Penarol's second consecutive defeat, after last week's thrashing at the hands of Liverpool. Despite the loss Penarol still lead the Apertura with 24 points, however, arch-rivals Nacional are within one point of them, with 23 points.
Nacional defeated Rampla Juniors 2-0 on Saturday, and will overtake Penarol if they manage to win next Sunday's highly anticipated superclasico. Meanwhile, Danubio missed out on a glorious opportunity to move top, after being held to a goalless draw by River Plate.
Danubio missed out on an ideal opportunity to overtake Penarol at the top of the league standings after fighting out a goalless draw with River Plate at the Jardines del Hipodromo stadium.
It was River who played the better soccer throughout the game, however, they were kept out by the heroics of Danubio goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea, who made several fine saves. In the 14th minute River were awarded a penalty kick, but Pablo Olivera's effort was saved by Goicoechea.
River continued to be the stronger side in the second half, creating several clear-cut opportunities to go ahead. In the 76th minute Gaston Bueno reduced Danubio to ten-men, and River pushed forward in numbers in search of the winner. It seemed that substitute Sebastian Taborda would give them the three points late on, but somehow he shot wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Nacional moved within one point of arch-rivals Penarol after beating Rampla Juniors 2-0 at the Centenario stadium on Saturday.
Marcelo Gallardo's side dominated their opponents in the first half and created several opportunities to go ahead. They finally went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Matias Abero met a right-wing cross with an easy tap-in at the back post.
Wanderers came more into the match in the second half, and they should have drawn level, but Ismael Espiga missed an incredible chance when he had the goal at his mercy.
Substitute Gonzalo Bueno put the result beyond Rampla Juniors in the 70th minute when he took advantage of a lapse of concentration from the Rampla defense to score Nacional's second goal.
Defensor Sporting thrashed Cerro Largo 3-0 for their sixth victory of the season. With 20 points, Defensor are only four points away from the league leaders.
Despite a 400km trip to Melo, it was Defensor who dominated proceedings in the first period. Veteran striker Ignacio Risso put Defensor ahead in the 33rd minute with a fine close-range header, before Diego Ferreira added their second in the 60th minute when he tapped the ball in from close-range after a free-kick was swung into the area from the left-wing.
Despite being reduced to ten-men with the dismissal of Matias Britos in the 72nd minute, Defensor continued to be the better side and three minutes from full-time Diego Rolan sealed the rout with a spectacular individual goal.
Penarol are at risk of being overtaken at the top of the Uruguayan Apertura championship, after losing their second consecutive match, this time 2-1 to Wanderers at the Centenario stadium on Sunday.
As was the case last week when they lost 3-0 against Liverpool, Penarol couldn't find their feet, and they conceded two goals from Ecuadorian striker Richard Mercado in the 32nd and 34th minutes. Mercado scored from close-range for Wanderers' first and met a precise pass from Antonio Pacheco to blast home his second.
After the break Penarol tried their best to get back into the game, but despite the fact that Santiago Martinez reduced Wanderers to ten-men in the 70th minute, Penarol lacked authority in their attack.
To make matters worse, Penarol striker Marcelo Zalayeta was sent-off late on and will miss next week's superclasico against second-placed Nacional, a match which could go a long way in deciding the title.
Sebastian Rosano pulled a goal back for Penarol in the 90th minute, but the goal came much too late as the referee blew the final whistle shortly after.
