Alaides Paz scores Belgrano's first Libertadores goal as Las Piratas draw 1-1 with Independiente del Valle on their debut

Belgrano have their first point in the Copa Libertadores Femenina. In their very first match in the competition, Las Piratas drew 1-1 with Independiente del Valle, Group B hosts and three-time reigning Ecuadorian champions, at the Estadio Banco Guayaquil in Sangolquí, on the outskirts of Quito. Uruguayan forward Alaides Paz opened the scoring in the 23rd minute and Karen Páez equalised from the penalty spot towards the end of the first half.

Paz's goal and Páez's penalty

Mariana Sánchez's side weathered the early pressure from Las Dragonas, who had a clear chance when Mary Guerra fired over from close range. Then Belgrano struck with their first real opportunity: in the 23rd minute, a long pass from the left found Alaides Paz unmarked in the box and the forward lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 0-1. It was Belgrano's first ever goal in the Copa.

The lead lasted until the closing stages of the first half. The referee awarded Independiente del Valle a penalty, which El Doce described as controversial, and Karen Páez converted with a low shot into the corner that gave Agustina Sánchez no chance.

The second half was an even affair. Belgrano's goalkeeper came up with another save, in two attempts, from a shot outside the area, and Las Piratas went looking for the winner, dominating at times and breaking on the counter at others, without quite creating a decisive chance. In stoppage time, Nicolle Amaya picked up a second yellow card and Belgrano finished the game with ten.

A point with historic weight

Belgrano are the only Argentine club in this edition and the first club from Argentina's interior to reach the Copa Libertadores Femenina, as we explained in our preview of the debut. They arrived in Quito after winning the 2025 Clausura against Racing and the Trofeo de Campeonas, which they clinched 4-2 on penalties against Newell's following a 0-0 draw in December. For Sánchez, a former Belgrano player, this is her first international tournament as a head coach.

Across the pitch stood an opponent that plays every group game at home: Independiente del Valle have just won a third consecutive Ecuadorian Superliga and are the hosts at the Banco Guayaquil, the stadium where Belgrano will also play their second match.

What's next

• Thursday 15: Universitario (Peru) vs. Palmeiras (Brazil), the other Group B fixture, from 9 pm Argentina time at the same stadium.
• Sunday 18: Belgrano vs. Palmeiras, 5 pm Argentina time, Estadio Banco Guayaquil.
• Wednesday 21: Belgrano vs. Universitario, 9 pm Argentina time, Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado.

The top two in each group go through to the quarter-finals on 24 and 25 October. Palmeiras, champions of the 2022 edition in this same city, are the biggest obstacle in the group. The point against the hosts keeps Belgrano very much in the running.

Sources: Cadena 3, El Doce, Primicias, El Comercio, Telefe Córdoba, Infobae Perú, El Gráfico.