Universitario de Vinto beat Oriente Petrolero 3:0 in the fifth Group Stage match of the Professional Division Cup on 27 September. The visitors had won their previous outing 3:1 against Bloomington, while Vinto's form looked more uncertain coming into this fixture. By then the result would settle the group stage with a decisive statement from the home side.
José Pinto opened the scoring in the thirtieth minute, finishing a move that came together after sustained pressure. The goal shifted the tempo immediately, and Oriente Petrolero had to respond from behind. The visitors responded with increased attacking intent, but the home defence held its shape through the opening exchanges.
Fernando Pasadore doubled the advantage after the interval, finding the net in the sixty-fifth minute. The visitors had pushed forward in search of a reply, leaving space behind. And here's the thing about chasing a game — you expose yourself when the other side stays compact and waits.
The late stages brought controversy and then a decisive moment. A J. Lazarte goal in the ninetieth minute went to review and was cancelled by VAR. Oriente Petrolero won a penalty eleven minutes into stoppage time, and R. Llano converted from the spot to make it 3:0. The visitors had pushed everyone forward at that point, and the penalty came from a moment of desperation.
The statistics told a story of parity in possession but difference in efficiency. Both teams held exactly 50% of the ball, yet Vinto registered six shots on target to Oriente Petrolero's three. The visitors completed more attacks — 81 to 69 — but three shots on target produced nothing until the very end. To be fair, the penalty was a fair reward for their late pressure.
The result moved Vinto clear at the top of their group stage standings. Oriente Petrolero's three consecutive wins came to an end, and the gap in points grew. This was not a match decided by one moment, but by how each side handled the transitions. The home side took their chances; the visitors did not.
