In a thrilling encounter at the Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero, América de Cali and Corinthians de Brasil battled to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, during the second round of the Copa Sudamericana group stage. Both teams showcased their determination, but it was América who initially took the lead.
América de Cali came out strong, eager to assert dominance on their home turf. The team orchestrated their attacks through the talented Juan Fernando Quintero, who was pivotal in creating scoring opportunities. Duván Vergara was particularly dangerous with a powerful long-range shot that tested Corinthians' defense early in the match.
In the 24th minute, the home team broke the deadlock when Luis Ramos found the back of the net. Ramos, who had been playing on the edge of offside, received a well-placed pass from Éder Álvarez Balanta. With a deft touch, he controlled the ball, positioned himself, and unleashed a left-footed shot that left the Corinthians goalkeeper with no chance. The crowd erupted in jubilation, celebrating what they thought was a crucial lead.
However, the match took a turn as the second half unfolded. América seemed poised to extend their lead shortly after the break when Cristian Barrios received a long pass into the area. He expertly finished the move, but the goal was disallowed after the referee ruled that Ramos had committed a foul earlier in the play, leaving the score at 1-0.
As the match progressed, Corinthians, who were in desperate need of points after a disappointing start to the tournament, began to find their rhythm. They missed the presence of their star forward, Memphis Depay, who was sidelined for the match. Nevertheless, the Brazilian side made strategic substitutions, bringing in fresh legs that altered their performance.
In the 81st minute, Corinthians found their equalizer through Matheuzinho. After receiving a pass from Héctor Hernández, he struck the ball with precision, and a deflection off Jean Pestaña wrong-footed the América goalkeeper. The goal served as a wake-up call for the home side, who had been in control for much of the match.
Despite the late equalizer, América de Cali remained at the top of Group C with four points, following their opening victory against Racing de Uruguay. Coach Alexandre Guimaraes expressed his disappointment over the disallowed goal but remained optimistic about his team's performance. "We played well and created many chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal," Guimaraes stated in the post-match press conference.
As for Corinthians, the draw marked their first point in the Copa Sudamericana, a much-needed boost after a tough start. Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo praised his team's resilience, saying, "We showed character to come back and earn a point. This is just the beginning, and we will improve from here."
The match was officiated by Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela, with VAR support from Juan Soto. The atmosphere at the Pascual Guerrero was electric, with fans from both sides passionately supporting their teams.
The Copa Sudamericana continues to be a platform for exciting football, and both América de Cali and Corinthians will look to build on this result in their upcoming fixtures. With América leading the group and Corinthians seeking to bounce back, the stakes will only get higher as the tournament progresses.
In terms of statistics, América de Cali maintained a strong position in the Liga BetPlay, sitting fourth with 24 points from 12 matches, having won seven, drawn three, and lost two. They have scored 21 goals while conceding nine, showcasing their attacking prowess.
On the other hand, Corinthians is currently second in the Brasileirao 2025, with four points from two matches, demonstrating their competitive edge in domestic play as well.
As both teams prepare for their next challenges, the fans can expect more thrilling matches ahead. The Copa Sudamericana is shaping up to be a tournament filled with surprises and memorable moments.
