Juventud's Penalty Shocker: How a Small Uruguayan Club Eliminated Universidad Católica (Ecuador)
The very first qualifying round of the 2026 Copa Libertadores produced one of its biggest shocks: Juventud de Las Piedras, a modest Uruguayan club, eliminated Ecuador's Universidad Católica — not Chile's famous club of the same name, but a historically strong Ecuadorian side in its own right — on penalties.
A 4-4 Aggregate Thriller
Universidad Católica won the first leg in Quito 1-0 on a Jhon Chancellor set-piece goal, looking firmly in control of the tie. But Juventud produced a stunning away performance in the return leg, winning 4-3 to level the aggregate score at 4-4 and force the tie into a penalty shootout.
Penalties: the Favorite Falls
In the shootout, Universidad Católica missed twice and Juventud converted enough to win 4-3 on penalties, eliminating one of the tournament's expected qualifiers in the very first round. Juventud advanced to face Paraguay's Club Guaraní in Qualification Round 2.