The Copa Libertadores is heating up as the fourth round concluded on Thursday, May 8, 2025, showcasing thrilling matches across South America. The standout performance came from Atlético Nacional, who triumphed over Internacional with a decisive 3-1 victory in Medellín, marking a crucial moment in the group stage of this prestigious tournament.
Internacional's journey took a significant hit as they fell to third place in the fiercely competitive Group F, often referred to as the 'group of death.' The Brazilian side, managed by Roger Machado, had entered the match with high hopes but struggled to find their rhythm against a determined Atlético Nacional squad.
Kevin Viveros opened the scoring for Atlético Nacional at the 39-minute mark, capitalizing on a moment of defensive lapse from Internacional. Viveros' goal was significant as it was the first time in four encounters between these two teams that a goal was scored in the first half. Just before the halftime whistle, Internacional's chances of a comeback were further hampered when Enner Valencia was substituted due to injury in the 36th minute.
The second half saw Atlético Nacional continue to exert pressure, and they doubled their lead with a goal from Billy Arce just ten minutes after the break. Despite being down 2-0, Internacional showed resilience and managed to pull one back when Alan Patrick converted a penalty in the 80th minute, following a foul in the box.
However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Viveros struck again in stoppage time, sealing the victory for Atlético Nacional at 90+3 minutes. This win propelled Atlético Nacional to six points, while Internacional remained at five points, just behind Bahia, who leads the group with seven points.
In other Copa Libertadores action, Talleres played to a goalless draw against Libertad, Vélez Sarsfield and Olimpia also ended in a 1-1 stalemate, and Barcelona-EQU was narrowly defeated by River Plate 3-2 in a thrilling encounter that saw River Plate maintain their top position in Group B.
Meanwhile, Universitario and Independiente del Valle battled to a 1-1 draw, with both teams sharing the spoils in a tightly contested match. The results of these matches have left the group standings extremely competitive as teams vie for a spot in the knockout stages.
As the tournament progresses, Internacional must regroup quickly as they turn their attention to the Campeonato Brasileiro, where they will face Botafogo on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Following that, they will return to Libertadores action on May 15, 2025, when they visit Nacional-URU in Montevideo, where they will seek redemption and a chance to secure their place in the next round.
In the Copa Sul-Americana, Dep. Iquique edged out Atlético-MG with a 3-2 victory, while Huracán secured a 3-1 win against Racing Montevideo. GV San José managed a narrow 1-0 victory over Fluminense, and Cienciano and Caracas played to a 1-1 draw, with that match still in progress.
In the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, Athletico-PR and Chapecoense ended their match in a 1-1 draw, reflecting the ongoing struggles for both teams as they aim to climb the league table.
As the excitement of the Copa Libertadores continues, fans are eagerly anticipating the next round of matches, where every point will be crucial in determining which teams will advance to the knockout stages. With the stakes higher than ever, it promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the group phase.
