Paraguay Wrap: Late goal extends Libertad lead
Antonio Bareiro scored late on as Libertad overcame 10-man Sportivo Luqueno to extend their lead atop of Paraguay's Division Profesional.
The first-half substitute completed his double in the 90th minute to lift Libertad to a 3-2 victory at the Estadio Dr. Nicolas Leoz on Friday.
Libertad are 11 points clear at the summit after 13 rounds following Olimpia's 1-1 draw at home to fourth-placed Guarani.
Pedro Sarabia's men had won seven consecutive games at home prior to kick-off but that run threatened to come to an end when Sportivo Luqueno hit the front early.
Veteran Brazilian striker Rodrigo Teixeira was on target to give the visiting team a seventh-minute lead.
However, Sportivo Luqueno were dealt a major blow on the half-hour mark when midfielder Robert Aldama received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Libertad made the most of their numerical advantage, with Rodrigo Lopez restoring parity from the penalty spot five minutes before the half-time break.
Bareiro, who replaced Jorge Moreira in the ninth minute, put the home side ahead just 10 minutes after the interval.
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Sportivo Luqueno equalised 12 minutes later thanks to Matias Lequi, who made no mistake from the spot.
But Bareiro struck during the closing stages as Libertad downed their eighth-placed opponents in cruel fashion.
Elsewhere over the weekend, Nacional Asuncion missed the chance to move second in the standings after they were beaten 1-0 by Rubio Nu.
Nacional Asuncion, who have a game in hand, were triumphant midweek against Arsenal in their Copa Libertadores quarter-final tie.
But they failed to produce the goods at home to Rubio Nu, with Maximiliano Lugo's 14th-minute goal proving to be the match winner.
Nacional Asuncion remain in fifth spot on 20 points, just one ahead of Rubio Nu, who rose to sixth.
Cristian Ovelar bagged a brace as third-placed Sol de America recorded their third win on the bounce, accounting for strugglers Deportivo Capiata 3-0.
In other results, General Diaz edged 12 de Octubre 1-0, who slid to the foot of the table following 3 de Febrero's 1-1 draw with Cerro Porteno.