Nacional Asunción secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Libertad in the Clausura - 8 round on Tuesday evening. The result extends the home side's unbeaten run to five matches and moves them closer to the top four. Hugo Adrián Benítez opened the scoring with a penalty after just seven minutes, setting the tone for what followed.
The penalty came early enough to catch Libertad off guard. Benítez converted with composure, and by then the visitors had already committed men forward. Nacional held firm, and Angel Lucena picked up a yellow card in the twentieth minute for a challenge that could have been avoided.
Libertad created more attacking opportunities — 124 attacks to 72 — but the pitch cut up badly for their chances. They managed only three shots on target compared to Nacional's five, and the accuracy figures told the story: 21 per cent versus 42. The visitors dominated possession equally at half, yet couldn't find the net.
Leandro Meza doubled the advantage in the fifty-fifth minute, and the game looked settled. Hugo Valdez added a third with twenty minutes remaining, and Libertad's substitutions at sixty-eight and seventy minutes made little difference. Alvaro Campuzado saw a yellow card in the seventy-first as frustration mounted.
Nacional's recent form speaks for itself. They have won three consecutive matches — 3-0 against San Lorenzo, 2-0 over Sportivo Luqueño, and 2-0 against Benjamin Aceval. This victory takes them from fifth place with four points to sit alongside the leaders, though Libertad remain third with six points after their defeat.
