In a thrilling encounter at the Estádio Alfonso López in Bucaramanga, Colombia, Atlético Bucaramanga and Fortaleza battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw on Wednesday night, April 23, 2025. This match was part of the Copa Libertadores group stage, and it showcased the resilience of both teams as they vied for crucial points.
The game kicked off at 23h (Brasilia time), with Fortaleza aiming to secure their first points in the tournament after a disappointing start. The Brazilian side had yet to score in the competition, having lost their opening match against Racing 3-0 and seeing their second match against Colo-Colo suspended due to crowd trouble. Meanwhile, Atlético Bucaramanga entered the match with a solid record, leading Group E with four points from their previous two games.
Fortaleza's head coach, Juan Pablo Vojvoda, was under pressure as his team had not won in their last five matches across all competitions. The squad was further challenged by the absence of key players like Moisés, Brítez, and Pochettino due to injuries. However, there was a glimmer of hope with the return of Breno Lopes, who had been sidelined since March due to a forearm fracture. His presence on the pitch was eagerly anticipated by fans.
The match began with both teams testing each other, but it was Fortaleza who struck first. In a dramatic turn of events, Deyverson scored for the visitors in the 34th minute. He converted a rebound after his initial penalty kick was saved by Atlético's goalkeeper, Quintana. This goal brought much-needed relief to the Fortaleza camp and ignited their hopes of turning their season around.
However, the lead was short-lived as Atlético Bucaramanga responded with vigor. Just before halftime, the Colombian side was awarded a penalty after Aldair Gutiérrez was fouled by Mancuso in the area. Luciano Pons stepped up to take the spot-kick, and after a VAR review confirmed the foul, he successfully converted the penalty to level the score at 1-1.
The second half saw both teams push for a winner, with Fortaleza looking to regain their lead and Atlético seeking to capitalize on their home advantage. The game was intensely contested, with both sides creating several goal-scoring opportunities. Notably, Yago Pikachu came close to scoring for Fortaleza, hitting the crossbar with a powerful shot that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Throughout the match, Atlético Bucaramanga's defense was tested, but they held firm against Fortaleza's aggressive attacking plays. The home side's goalkeeper, Quintana, made several crucial saves, denying shots from players like Pol Fernández and Deyverson, who were eager to add to their tally.
As the match progressed, both teams made tactical substitutions in an effort to gain the upper hand. Vojvoda opted for a triple substitution, bringing on Dylan Borrero, Yago Pikachu, and Breno Lopes to inject fresh energy into the Fortaleza lineup. Meanwhile, Atlético Bucaramanga made strategic changes, including introducing Jhon Vásquez to bolster their attacking options.
The final whistle blew with the score tied at 1-1, leaving both teams with something to build on. Atlético Bucaramanga remains in a strong position in Group E, maintaining their unbeaten streak with five points from three matches. They had previously drawn 3-3 against Colo-Colo and defeated Racing 2-1.
For Fortaleza, the draw marks a positive step forward after a string of disappointing results. With one point secured in the Libertadores, they will look to build on this performance in their upcoming matches. Their next game is scheduled against Sport in the Campeonato Brasileiro, where they will aim for a much-needed victory.
Overall, the match illustrated the competitive spirit of both teams and set the stage for an exciting remainder of the Copa Libertadores group stage. Fans can catch the highlights and detailed analysis of this encounter on Paramount+, which provided exclusive live coverage of the match.
