In a disappointing start to their Copa Libertadores campaign, Botafogo, the reigning champions, fell to Universidad de Chile with a score of 1-0 on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The match took place at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, where a single goal from Argentine striker Di Yorio sealed the fate for the Brazilian side.
This defeat marks a continuation of unfortunate trends for Brazilian teams in the tournament. Just as Botafogo struggled, their rivals have also faced challenges in their debuts. Flamengo, the 2022 Libertadores champion, lost their opening match in 2023 to Aucas of Ecuador, while Fluminense, the 2023 champion, could only manage a draw against Alianza Lima of Peru in the following year.
In Botafogo's match against La U, the team started strong, controlling possession and creating opportunities. However, their efforts were thwarted by a disciplined Universidad defense that limited clear chances. The first half saw a lack of goals, with both teams struggling to find rhythm and create significant threats.
The second half began with a flurry of fouls, disrupting the flow of the game. Di Yorio, who had previously played for Athletico-PR in 2024, almost opened the scoring with a header that was brilliantly saved by Botafogo's goalkeeper, John. But just moments later, he made no mistake, putting Universidad ahead at the 14-minute mark of the second half. Following a swift counter-attack, Di Yorio found himself one-on-one with John and coolly slotted the ball past him.
In response to the setback, Botafogo's coach Renato Paiva made immediate substitutions, bringing on Elias Manoel and Artur in hopes of reversing the tide. Despite their best efforts, the Botafogo attackers struggled to penetrate the resolute Universidad defense, which continued to frustrate their attempts to equalize.
As the match progressed, tensions rose, leading to a series of yellow cards as both teams became increasingly aggressive. Igor Jesus of Botafogo received a second yellow card late in the game, resulting in his expulsion and further complicating the visitors' efforts to find an equalizer.
With this loss, Botafogo currently sits in third place in Group A of the Libertadores, trailing behind Estudiantes, who secured a 2-0 victory over Carabobo. The next challenge for Botafogo will be a home game against Juventude on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the second round of the Brasileirão. Following that, they will return to the Libertadores on April 8, facing Carabobo at their home ground.
In other Copa Libertadores action on the same night, São Paulo celebrated a strong victory against Talleres, winning 1-0 in Córdoba. Meanwhile, the debut of San Antonio Bulo-Bulo was historic as they defeated the three-time champions Olimpia 3-2, showcasing the unpredictability of this year's tournament. Velez Sarsfield also claimed a victory, beating Peñarol 2-1, while River Plate edged out Universitario with a 1-0 win.
In the Copa Sul-Americana, Brazilian teams faced their own set of challenges. Corinthians suffered a surprising defeat at home, losing 2-1 to Huracan. Vasco, on the other hand, managed to draw 3-3 with Melgar after leading 3-1 at one point, conceding a late equalizer in the 45th minute of the second half. Vitória played to a 1-1 draw with Universidad Católica, despite having a player advantage for nearly 30 minutes. Grêmio was the only Brazilian team to emerge victorious in the Sul-Americana, defeating Sportivo Luqueño 2-1.
As the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sul-Americana continue, the pressure mounts on Brazilian teams to perform better in the crucial early stages of these prestigious tournaments. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Botafogo can bounce back from this setback and regain their form in the upcoming matches.
Looking ahead, Flamengo is set to take the field against Deportivo Táchira from Venezuela on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 21h30 (Brasília time). With high expectations, the team will aim to secure a strong result to lift the spirits of Brazilian football after a rocky start to the tournament.
