In a thrilling encounter at the Arena Fonte Nova, Nacional of Uruguay stunned Bahia with a 3-1 victory in the Copa Libertadores group stage on May 7, 2025. This marked Nacional's first win in this edition of the tournament, bringing them back into contention in Group F.
The match kicked off with Bahia taking an early lead just one minute into the second half, courtesy of Jean Lucas de Souza Oliveira, who finished off a well-placed pass from Willian José. The Brazilian side seemed poised to maintain their dominance, having previously defeated Nacional 1-0 in their first meeting earlier in the tournament.
However, Nacional, under the guidance of coach Pablo Peirano, showed resilience and determination. Lucas Morales equalized for the visitors in the 56th minute with a powerful header from a corner taken by Nicolás López. This goal ignited a wave of momentum for Nacional.
Just minutes later, in the 68th minute, Nicolás López turned the tide in favor of Nacional. After dodging a defender, he found the back of the net from the penalty spot, putting Nacional ahead 2-1. The Uruguayan team wasn’t done yet; Julian Millán sealed the victory with a third goal in the 80th minute, showcasing Nacional's effective counter-attacking play.
Despite Bahia controlling 67% of possession and registering 15 shots on goal compared to Nacional's 13, it was the Uruguayan side that capitalized on their opportunities. The match statistics revealed that Bahia completed 545 passes against Nacional's 196, indicating their dominance in midfield. Yet, it was Nacional's clinical finishing that proved decisive.
Nicolás López emerged as the standout player of the match, not only scoring a goal but also making 15 successful passes and attempting six shots on target. His performance was pivotal in turning the game around for Nacional.
Defensively, Julian Millán also made significant contributions, scoring a goal and clearing two dangerous balls, highlighting the importance of both offensive and defensive efforts in securing the win.
As the dust settled on this match, Nacional moved to third place in Group F with 4 points, while Bahia retained their position at the top with 7 points. Internacional, with 5 points and a game in hand, looms as a threat in the group.
Looking ahead, Nacional faces a challenging path to advance, needing to win their remaining matches and hoping for favorable outcomes in other games. Meanwhile, Bahia will aim to bounce back in their next fixture against Atlético Nacional, as they strive to maintain their lead in the group.
This match not only showcased the unpredictable nature of football but also set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
