Estudiantes were slightly fortunate to nick a victory in the altitude of Potosí last month but required no such luck, only the goal scoring instincts of Mariano Pavone to complete the job in La Plata on Thursday.
A reckless challenge on Sebastián Dubarbier presented Pavone with the chance to slot home a penalty in first half stoppage time and when the 35-year-old nodded in a second with 20 minutes remaining, any slim chance of a shock was extinguished.
🎥 La palabra de Santiago Ascacibar luego del triunfo de anoche por #CONMEBOLSudamericana pic.twitter.com/YrwAKWUNhY
— Estudiantes de L.P. (@EdelpOficial) August 4, 2017
With Estudiantes able to canter towards full time, manager Gustavo Matosas substituted midfielder Santiago Ascacibar, allowing the 20-year-old to say goodbye and receive a standing ovation from the supporters ahead of his $10 million move to Zenit St. Petersburg.
Ascacibar will be a great miss for El Pincha but with a new season just a few weeks away and a Copa Sudamericana last 16 clash against Paraguayan club Nacional, life goes on.
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