On May 7, 2025, Bahia faced Nacional from Uruguay in a pivotal Copa Libertadores clash at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil. The match, which kicked off at 19:00 (Brasília time), was crucial for both teams as they sought to secure their positions in the group stage. Bahia entered the game leading Group F with seven points, while Nacional, sitting third with four points, desperately needed a victory to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
Bahia had been in remarkable form, previously winning five consecutive matches, all by a narrow 1-0 scoreline. The team was riding high on confidence, especially after a recent victory over Botafogo in the Brasileirão, where they currently sat in sixth place. Their solid home record, with nine matches unbeaten, made them favorites going into this fixture.
In contrast, Nacional was looking to bounce back after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Internacional in their last Libertadores outing, where they squandered a 3-0 lead. The Uruguayan side had shown resilience in their domestic league, recently thrashing Cerro 4-0, but they faced a tough challenge in Bahia, who had previously beaten them 1-0 in the group stage.
The match began with Bahia dominating possession, but Nacional's defense held firm, setting the stage for a tactical battle. The first half saw few clear chances, with both teams testing each other's defenses without any breakthrough.
However, the second half ignited with action just two minutes in. Bahia's Jean Lucas broke the deadlock, finishing a well-executed play with a shot into the corner of the net. The home crowd erupted as Bahia took a 1-0 lead, seemingly on their way to securing the points needed for a strong position in the group.
But Nacional responded quickly, equalizing just ten minutes later. A corner kick led to chaos in the Bahia box, and Lucas Morales capitalized, heading the ball home to make it 1-1. The momentum shifted as Nacional found their rhythm, forcing Bahia's goalkeeper Marcos Felipe into action.
As the game progressed, Nacional began to exploit the spaces left by Bahia in search of a second goal. At the 24-minute mark of the second half, Nico López scored a stunning goal, finishing off a rapid counter-attack that left Bahia's defense scrambling. The visitors now led 2-1, turning the tide of the match.
To add to Bahia's woes, Nacional sealed their victory with a third goal in the 41st minute. Another counter-attack saw Millán find the net, confirming a 3-1 victory for Nacional. The result not only marked Bahia's first defeat in the tournament but also put their lead in Group F in jeopardy, especially with Internacional still to play in the round.
The loss was a bitter pill for Bahia to swallow, as they had aimed to secure early qualification for the knockout stages. Coach Rogério Ceni expressed his disappointment post-match, emphasizing the need for his team to regroup and focus on their upcoming fixtures. "We had the game under control and let it slip away. We need to learn from this and come back stronger," he stated.
As for Nacional, the win was a much-needed boost, revitalizing their chances in the group. Coach Pablo Peirano praised his team's resilience, stating, "We showed character today. This victory keeps us alive in the competition, and we’ll build on this momentum going forward."
Looking ahead, Bahia will need to reassess their strategy and recover quickly as they prepare for their next match, while Nacional will aim to build on this victory to push for a place in the knockout rounds. The competition is heating up, and every point will be critical as the group stage progresses.
Fans can catch future matches of both teams exclusively on Paramount+, which holds the broadcasting rights for the Copa Libertadores in Brazil. As the tournament unfolds, the stakes will only get higher, and both teams will be looking to secure their spots in the next phase.
With the group stage nearing its climax, the pressure is on for Bahia to reclaim their form and for Nacional to continue their resurgence. The next few matches will be pivotal in determining who advances to the next round of this prestigious tournament.
