Liverpool struggles down a man but edges Central Español 2-1 to join Clausura title hunt

Ten minutes of stoppage time with a man down and just a slim lead to protect. That was the ordeal Liverpool had to navigate this Sunday at Parque Palermo, where they came away with a win that counts double: 2-1 over Central Español in matchday eight of the 2026 Torneo Clausura in Uruguay's Liga AUF.

The start could not have gone better for Liverpool. In the 4th minute, Federico Martínez finished to make it 1-0 and set the tone for a match that, with Jorge Fossati's side cruising through the early stages, looked headed for a comfortable rout. Liverpool had chances to extend the lead before the game's complexion changed entirely.

Because at the 39th minute things got complicated: Nicolás Garayalde was sent off, leaving the visitors down a man with nearly the entire second half still to survive. And survive they did, the hard way. Playing with ten men, Liverpool spent much of the second half defending the lead however it could, absorbing the home side's pressure at Parque Palermo.

The resolution did not come until deep into the closing stages. In the 85th minute, a penalty in Liverpool's favor gave Facundo Barcelo the chance to seal it, and he did not miss: 2-0, and the match seemingly settled. But Central Español refused to give up. Four minutes later, in the 89th minute, Jonathan Dellarossa headed home off a corner kick to pull one back and put the outcome in doubt right to the finish. The home side pushed forward with everything they had left in search of an equalizer, but Liverpool, down a man and with the game wide open, managed to hold on for the remaining minutes and claim all three points.

How the table looks

The win takes Liverpool to 17 points, putting them provisionally in second place in the Clausura, just one point behind Montevideo City Torque, who also have a game in hand. Given the circumstances of the match, it is a result that carries extra weight for Fossati's squad.

On the other side, the outlook is far bleaker. Central Español still cannot find their footing and have now gone three straight matchdays without a win in the tournament, a slump that is starting to weigh on the Palermo club's morale despite the late-game fight they showed.

The next round brings different challenges for each side. Central Español will look to snap their winless streak against Deportivo Maldonado, while Liverpool will try to keep its momentum going when it hosts Progreso.