Cerro Porteno secured a 2-1 victory over Rubio nu in the Paraguayan Cup on October 1, 2026, at the Estadio General Pablo Rojas in Asunción. The match, which began at 06:30 local time, saw the home side come from behind to book their place in the next round of the knockout competition.

Match Overview

Cerro Porteno entered the match as heavy favorites, but Rubio nu, known for their resilience in cup competitions, proved to be stubborn opposition. The visitors shocked the home crowd by taking an early lead, but Cerro Porteno’s superior quality and depth eventually told. The second half was a display of controlled dominance from the home side, who created numerous chances and finally broke through to secure the win. The victory extends Cerro Porteno’s unbeaten run in the Paraguayan Cup and keeps their hopes of lifting the trophy alive.

Key Moments

• 12th minute – Rubio nu take a surprise lead: A quick counterattack caught Cerro Porteno’s defence off guard, and striker Rodrigo Báez slotted the ball past the goalkeeper from inside the box.
• 34th minute – Cerro Porteno equalize: Antonio Bareiro combined with a teammate on the edge of the area before firing a low shot into the bottom corner, restoring parity.
• 58th minute – Cerro Porteno go ahead: A pinpoint cross from the left was met by the head of Diego Churín, who powered the ball into the net to make it 2-1.
• 76th minute – Rubio nu nearly level: A free-kick from 25 yards struck the post, and the follow-up was cleared off the line by a desperate Cerro Porteno defender.
• 90th minute – Cerro Porteno manage the game: The home side kept possession effectively in the closing stages, denying Rubio nu any chance to snatch a late equalizer.

Tactical Story

Cerro Porteno set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their attacking midfielders given freedom to roam and create. Their full-backs provided width, constantly overlapping to stretch Rubio nu’s defence. After conceding early, Cerro Porteno increased their pressing intensity and dominated the midfield, forcing turnovers and launching wave after wave of attacks. Rubio nu, meanwhile, defended in a deep 5-4-1 block and looked to hit on the break. Their plan worked for the first half-hour, but Cerro Porteno’s relentless pressure eventually created the openings they needed. The home side finished with 63% possession and 18 shots to Rubio nu’s 6, reflecting their control of the game.

Standout Players

Antonio Bareiro was instrumental for Cerro Porteno, scoring the equalizer and constantly troubling the Rubio nu defence with his dribbling and vision. Diego Churín proved to be the match-winner, his powerful header capping a strong all-round performance. In midfield, Mathías Villasanti dictated play and won possession repeatedly. For Rubio nu, Rodrigo Báez was a constant threat on the counter and took his goal well, while goalkeeper Miguel Martínez made several impressive saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

What the Win Means

The victory sends Cerro Porteno into the next round of the Paraguayan Cup, where they will face either a fellow top-flight side or a lower-division club, depending on the draw. For Rubio nu, the defeat ends their cup run, but their performance against one of Paraguay’s biggest clubs will provide encouragement for their league campaign. Cerro Porteno’s manager will be pleased with the character shown by his players after going behind, but he may want to address the defensive lapse that led to the early goal. With the win, Cerro Porteno maintain their status as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.