In the 31st minute, captain Edison 'Oreja' Flores, who’s about to turn 31, scored a header to seal a 0-1 win for Universitario de Deportes over Barcelona SC in Guayaquil, in a crucial Group B matchup of the Copa Libertadores.

Stunner at the Monumental

Flores’s header was all it took for the Peruvian side to grab three massive points at the Monumental Banco Pichincha. They had less of the ball, but were way more clinical. With this result, Universitario now sit on 3 points, while Barcelona stay on 4, awaiting the outcome of River Plate (4 pts) vs Independiente del Valle (3 pts), set to wrap up the matchday on Wednesday.

Led on an interim basis by Manuel Barreto and Piero Alva, Universitario set up solid from the start, keeping things tight at the back and hitting on the counter with Jairo Vélez and Andy Polo leading the charge. The game plan worked perfectly: they soaked up pressure and struck when it counted.

Barcelona lacked spark

The Ecuadorians, coached by Segundo Castillo, looked nothing like their usual selves. Forwards Joaquín Valiente and Octavio Rivero were kept in check and rarely threatened. A lack of creativity and attacking edge cost Barcelona dearly at home. Matchday 4 is set for May 8. Barcelona will host River Plate, while Universitario welcome Independiente del Valle, in a group that’s shaping up to go down to the wire.