In a dramatic second-leg encounter on February 10, 2026, Deportivo Táchira overturned a first-leg deficit to defeat The Strongest 1-0 in regulation time (2-2 on aggregate) and subsequently advanced 5-3 on penalties in the Copa Libertadores First Stage.
Match Summary
- Result (Regulation): Deportivo Táchira 1–0 The Strongest
- Goal Scorer: Renzo Pollero broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute to level the aggregate score following Táchira’s 2-1 loss in the first leg.
- Venue: Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal, Venezuela, in front of a crowd of approximately 38,755 fans.
- Referee: Lopez D. (Paraguay).
Penalty Shootout (5–3)
Deportivo Táchira displayed perfect precision in the shootout, converting all five of their attempts to secure qualification.
| Team | Penalty Scorers |
|---|---|
| Deportivo Táchira | González, Balza, Fratta, Pollero, Camargo |
| The Strongest | Castro, Roca, Saucedo (Miss: Cuéllar) |
Key Moments & Context
- Aggregated Comeback: After losing the away leg 2-1 in Bolivia on February 3, Táchira utilized their home advantage to pressure the “Tigre” defense throughout the match.
- Tactical Resilience: The Strongest, led by manager Eduardo Villegas, attempted to defend their narrow lead but struggled to contain Táchira’s offensive bursts, particularly after Pollero’s opener.
- Defensive Stand: Táchira goalkeeper Jesús Camargo not only kept a clean sheet during the 90 minutes but also stepped up to score the decisive final penalty for his side.
Betting Review
The second-leg match between Deportivo Táchira and The Strongest on February 10, 2026, was a prime example of a “tight under” match that rewarded patient home-win bettors while punishing those chasing goals.
Betting Market Outcomes
- Full-Time Result (1X2): Deportivo Táchira (Win). Táchira entered as clear home favorites with closing odds around 1.65 to 1.70. A $100 bet on a Táchira victory in regulation time returned approximately $167.
- To Qualify: Deportivo Táchira. Despite losing the first leg, Táchira’s “To Qualify” market was highly active. Betting on them to win the tie via a penalty shootout specifically offered high-value odds of 9/1 at some Betfair markets.
- Over/Under Goals: Under 2.5 Goals (Win). With a final score of 1-0 in regulation, the “Under” hit comfortably. Pre-match lines for “Under 2.5” were often priced around 1.55 to 1.68.
- Correct Score: 1-0 Táchira (Win). This was one of the most favored outcomes, with Oddschecker listing it at 5/1 before kickoff.
Key Betting Insights
- The “Under” Trend: Following a 2-1 first leg, many expected a more open game. However, Táchira’s defensive focus and The Strongest’s attempt to protect their narrow aggregate lead kept the scoreline low, favoring “Under” bettors.
- Goalscorer Value: Renzo Pollero (32′) was a popular pick for “First Goalscorer.” His strike leveled the aggregate and secured the 1-0 regulation win.
- Method of Victory: Bettors who took “Either Team on Pens” saw a return at 5/1 odds, while those specifically backing Táchira to win on penalties cashed at roughly 9/1.