Uruguayan Gustavo Tejera to Referee Palmeiras vs. Cerro Porteño in Copa Libertadores

Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera has been appointed to officiate the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 match between Brazilian club Palmeiras and Paraguay's Cerro Porteño. The Confederation of South American Football (Conmebol) has selected an all-Uruguayan officiating crew for the crucial encounter, which will take place in Brazil.

Tejera will be supported by a team of fellow Uruguayans: Nicolás Tarán and Carlos Barreiro as assistant referees, Mathias de Armas as the fourth official, and Leodan González overseeing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, assisted by Diego Dunajec. This selection underscores Conmebol's trust in Tejera's capabilities, particularly given his extensive international experience.

Tejera's credentials include officiating two group stage matches at the recent World Cup, namely Mexico vs. South Korea and Australia vs. Egypt. This experience in football's premier tournament is seen as vital preparation for handling the pressure of a significant Copa Libertadores fixture. Palmeiras is recognized as a regional powerhouse, and Cerro Porteño is eager to achieve a positive result away from home. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, at 19:00 in São Paulo. The return leg will be held on August 19 at Cerro Porteño's home stadium, La Nueva Olla.