In a dramatic encounter on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Corinthians managed to secure a 1-1 draw against América de Cali in the Copa Sudamericana, avoiding their second defeat in the group stage. The match took place at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero, where the home side, América, initially took the lead thanks to a goal from Luis Ramos in the 24th minute.
Ramos scored with a precise left-footed shot from inside the area, assisted by Éder Álvarez Balanta, giving América a promising start. The Colombian side, coached by Jorge "Polilla" Da Silva, was looking for their second consecutive victory in the tournament after previously defeating Racing de Montevideo.
Despite being a favorite in the competition, Corinthians entered the match without key players, including Memphis Depay, who was sidelined due to a physical ailment. Also absent were goalkeeper Hugo Souza and midfielders Igor Coronado and Rodrigo Garro. This left the Brazilian side, managed by Ramón Díaz, with a depleted squad, and they struggled to find their rhythm in the first half.
As the match progressed, Corinthians attempted to break through América's defense, but they were met with a solid performance from goalkeeper Jorge Soto, who made several crucial saves to keep the scoreline intact. The Brazilian team, coming off a disappointing loss to Huracán de Buenos Aires in their group stage debut, was desperate for points.
In a twist of fate, just when it seemed that América would secure all three points, a stroke of luck turned the tide for Corinthians. In the 81st minute, Matheuzinho found the back of the net with a shot that deflected off a defender, leaving Soto with no chance to save it. Matheuzinho expressed his thoughts after the match, stating, "I wanted to win, but it's difficult to come here and get a draw. We have to value the point."
The equalizer came just moments before what could have been a second goal for América. Cristian Barrios had scored in the 47th minute, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review ruled him offside. This disallowed goal proved to be a pivotal moment in the match, as it could have given América a comfortable two-goal lead.
As the game entered its final stages, both teams pushed for a winning goal. In the dying moments, Juan Fernando Quintero had a close chance for América, with his shot narrowly missing the left post. Marcos Mina also had a late opportunity, but his effort sailed just above the crossbar following a rebound.
With the draw, América de Cali remains undefeated in Group C, currently leading the group with four points. Their next match will be against Racing de Montevideo, which promises to be another exciting clash.
Corinthians, on the other hand, earned their first point in this year’s Copa Sudamericana, and while they may not have secured the win, the draw could serve as a morale booster as they look to build momentum in their upcoming matches. Coach Ramón Díaz’s decision to introduce Yuri Alberto and André Carrillo in the second half added more offensive firepower to the team, allowing them to create more chances as the game progressed.
América de Cali faced a Corinthians side that, despite its injury woes, is considered one of the favorites to win the tournament. The historical context of the match also added intrigue, as Díaz previously coached River Plate, who defeated América in the 1996 Copa Libertadores final.
As the match concluded, fans were left with a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead in the tournament. Both teams showed flashes of brilliance, and with the stakes high, the Copa Sudamericana promises to deliver more thrilling encounters in the coming weeks.
In summary, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, with América de Cali leading the group and Corinthians finally getting on the board in the tournament. Both teams will be looking to capitalize on their performances as they continue their campaigns in this prestigious South American competition.
