In an electrifying opening to the CONMEBOL Sudamericana group stage, América de Cali showcased their prowess with a commanding 3-1 victory over Racing de Uruguay at the historic Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. The match, which was part of Group C, saw América de Cali take the lead and maintain their dominance throughout the game.
Rodrigo Holgado was the first to find the net, capitalizing on a rebound from the Racing goalkeeper. His opportunistic strike opened the scoring, setting the tone for what would be a thrilling encounter. Just moments later, América doubled their lead when Duván Vergara, assisted by Juanfer, blasted a stunning shot into the back of the net, making it 2-0.
As the game progressed, Luis Ramos added to the tally, sealing the victory with a powerful header that came from a precise cross by Cristian Barrios. With the score at 3-0, it seemed like América de Cali was in complete control. However, Racing de Montevideo managed to pull one back through Esteban Da Silva, who took advantage of a defensive slip from América, making the final score 3-1.
Meanwhile, in other CONMEBOL Sudamericana news, the organization announced significant venue changes for upcoming matches. Guaraní from Paraguay will host Nacional Potosí from Bolivia on April 10, 2025, at the Estadio UENO Defensores del Chaco in Asunción. This match is set to kick off at 21:30 local time (00:30 GMT). Following that, Guaraní will face Independiente from Argentina on April 22, 2025, at the same venue, with a local time start of 19:00 (22:00 GMT). Finally, Guaraní will take on Boston River from Uruguay on May 28, 2025, also at the Estadio UENO, at 19:00 local time (22:00 GMT).
In another thrilling match in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana, Gremio triumphed over Sportivo Luqueño with a score of 2-1 in Asunción. The match, played at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco, showcased Gremio's attacking capabilities and resilience. Matias Arezo opened the scoring for Gremio with a penalty kick in the first half, giving the Brazilian side an early advantage.
However, Sportivo Luqueño responded swiftly, equalizing through Federico Santander in the 28th minute after a well-executed play. The Paraguayan side showed great determination and threatened Gremio’s goal several times throughout the match, but it was Gremio who would ultimately claim the victory.
The decisive moment came in the 71st minute when Danish forward Martin Braithwaite, a former Barcelona player, entered the game and made an immediate impact. He scored with a powerful header, giving Gremio a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish. Despite late attempts from Sportivo Luqueño to equalize, including a missed opportunity from Jemerson de Jesús, Gremio held on for the win.
The excitement of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana continues as teams vie for supremacy in their respective groups. With América de Cali, Gremio, and Guaraní all showcasing their talents, fans can expect more thrilling matches ahead in this prestigious tournament.
