Vélez Sarsfield delivered a resounding statement in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday night, thrashing Olimpia 4-0 at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asunción. With this emphatic result, the Argentine club moves to the top of Group H with six points from two matches, while three-time champions Olimpia remain bottom with back-to-back defeats.

Striker Braian Romero was the standout performer, netting a brace to sink an unrecognizable Olimpia side. The scoring was completed by teenager Maher Carrizo, who continues to impress, and Francisco Pizzini, who sealed the result with a goal in the 93rd minute.

Vélez now looks like a serious contender in the group, following up last week’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Peñarol in Liniers with this commanding away performance.

The match also featured a symbolic tactical clash between former Boca Juniors legends turned managers: Guillermo Barros Schelotto for Vélez and Martín Palermo for Olimpia. Once an iconic attacking duo under Carlos Bianchi, the two faced off on opposing benches in a game that may have ended Palermo’s short-lived tenure in Paraguay.

Palermo’s side had already raised eyebrows with a stunning 3-2 loss to San Antonio de Bulo Bulo, a Bolivian debutant in the competition. According to local media, Wednesday’s humiliation may have sealed his fate at the helm of the Paraguayan giants.