Could Lanus pull off a league and Cup double?

The fine run of form that Lanus have found themselves in domestically extended last night in the Copa Sudamericana as they travelled to Paraguay and defeated Libertad 2-1 in their Semi Final first leg. Second half goals from Santiago Silva and Paolo Goltz had given Lanus a two-goal lead but after the sending off of Jorge Ortiz, Libertad managed to pull a goal back to offer a glimmer of hope. SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS HERE….

In the first half, Lanus were indebted on a few occasions to the fine defending of Carlos Izquierdoz and Paolo Goltz and despite their Paraguayan opposition forcing the match, Lanus went in at the break all square.

The second half was far better from the away side and not long after the break, Lauturo Acosta burst down the left and his cut-back found Uruguayan, Santiago Silva, who made no mistake in smashing the ball into the roof of the net.

Just after the hour mark, Goltz doubled the lead from the penalty spot after Acosta was scythed down in the box.

Minutes later, Ortiz was sent off and as the pressure grew Libertad finally forced a goal. A cross from the right was powerfully headed home by Gustavo Gomez.

Libertad were reduced to 10 men late on to level things up but the focus now shifts to the second leg next Thursday in Lanus. Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s side will be confident that they can progress and reach the Final.