VAR Review Seals Alan Benítez's Ejection, Colo Colo Advances in Copa Libertadores

In a dramatic Copa Libertadores match between Cerro Porteño and Colo Colo, a VAR review led to the ejection of Cerro Porteño's Alan Benítez for a serious foul on Maximiliano Falcón. This critical decision resulted in Colo Colo advancing to the round of 16 on the strength of their superior away goals.

The incident occurred in the 99th minute of the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Benítez, 30, launched himself at Falcón, deliberately stamping on the Uruguayan defender's ankle with force, causing Falcón to fall to the ground in pain. The VAR intervention by Leonard Mosquera alerted referee Wilmar Roldán, who handed Benítez a straight red card and dismissed him from the game.

Fans on social media were outraged by the challenge, with many calling it "vile and hateful." Some even suggested that Benítez's actions constituted assault and warranted a lifetime ban. One fan wrote, "That might be one of the most vile and hateful tackles that I've ever seen... He just went for career-ending, straight up."

The match, held on May 29, 2024, saw Colo Colo secure their advancement to the round of 16 despite being level on points with Cerro Porteño. Their superior away goals record proved decisive. Falcón confirmed that he suffered a Grade 2 or 3 sprain from the tackle, which will cause him significant pain but will not keep him off the field for an extended period. You can watch the video highlights of the match.

Benítez's ejection and the subsequent outrage highlight the intense emotions and high stakes involved in Copa Libertadores matches. As Colo Colo moves forward in the tournament, the incident serves as a vivid illustration of the fine line between competitive play and dangerous conduct.

Key Takeaways

• Cerro Porteño's Alan Benítez ejected for serious foul on Maximiliano Falcón.
• VAR review led to Benítez's red card in 99th minute of 1-1 draw.
• Falcón suffered Grade 2 or 3 sprain, but will not miss extended time.
• Colo Colo advances to round of 16 on superior away goals.
• Incident sparks outrage, with many calling for lifetime ban.