SAN LORENZO, Paraguay (Interstat) — San Lorenzo and visiting Rubio Nu played to a 2-2 draw Monday at Estadio Gunther Vogel, a result that left both sides with matching win totals in the competition but different paths through the early standings. San Lorenzo had entered after recent wins over Nacional Asuncion and Libertad Asuncion, while Rubio Nu was coming off a heavy loss to Sp. Luqueno following a victory at Sportivo Trinidense. Rubio Nu’s recent run had also included draws with Olimpia Asuncion and 2 de Mayo, while San Lorenzo had drawn with Sportivo Trinidense and Guarani earlier in the campaign. The draw moved San Lorenzo to 2 wins, 2 losses and 4 draws in this competition and 2 wins, 3 losses and 4 draws across all competitions. Rubio Nu is now 2 wins, 3 losses and 3 draws in the competition and 2 wins, 3 losses and 3 draws across all competitions.

San Lorenzo made the stronger start and was rewarded in the 10th minute when Jose Barrios scored. The home side doubled its advantage three minutes later through Marcelo Ferreira, who finished a move that also reflected his work as a creator. Ferreira ended with one goal and one assist while playing 77 minutes. Barrios gave the home side an early target in the box and opened the scoring before Ferreira added the second. Franco Aragon also recorded an assist for San Lorenzo and was booked later in the second half. The quick goals forced Rubio Nu to chase the match, and the visitors began to commit more numbers forward after falling two behind. San Lorenzo’s midfield looked to capitalize on the space, but Rubio Nu’s response arrived before the half-hour mark.

Rubio Nu answered in the 16th minute through Sergio Fretes, whose goal trimmed the deficit to 2-1 and changed the match’s momentum. Fretes was later booked in the 73rd minute after a spell of pressure from the visitors. Rubio Nu continued to press and eventually pulled level, with Ezequiel Alfonso supplying the visitors’ second goal. Alfonso also received a yellow card. Marcelo Acosta contributed an assist for Rubio Nu while playing 72 minutes. Fretes’ finish gave Rubio Nu a foothold, and the visitors continued to test San Lorenzo’s back line. Alfonso’s goal completed the comeback and made the closing stretch tense, though neither side could find a winner.

The match grew increasingly physical as it wore on. San Lorenzo’s Cohener was booked in the ninth minute, Rubio Nu’s Torrente in the 36th, Cabanas in the 49th, Alfonso in the 63rd, San Lorenzo’s Aragon in the 69th and Fretes in the 73rd. Six yellow cards underscored the competitive edge, with players from both sides cautioned as the game moved into its decisive phase. Both benches turned to substitutions after halftime. Rubio Nu made changes in the 54th and 55th minutes with Leiva and Roldan, then brought on Ferreira and Acosta in the 72nd. San Lorenzo replaced Cohener and Gerzel in the 71st, made changes involving Ferreira and I. Fretes in the 77th, and used Gonzalez in the 87th. The late changes did not produce another goal, and the sides settled for a share of the result. Both teams finished the afternoon level on goals and without a late breakthrough.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of San Lorenzo 2, Rubio Nu 1, and Interstat’s ELO system had given San Lorenzo a 70.2 percent probability to win. Rubio Nu had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 4 finished above the over/under line of 2.5.