Universitario de Vinto and Jorge Wilstermann faced off at the Estadio Félix Capriles on December 18, 2024, where they settled for a 1-1 draw, showcasing both sides’ lack of stakes as the season nears its end.
Entering the match, Universitario had already secured their position for the 2025 Copa Sudamericana by finishing second in the Apertura tournament, whereas Jorge Wilstermann had confirmed their absence from any upcoming prizes, creating little incentive for either team to push for victory.
The match gained attention not only for its outcome but also for the historical officiation. This game marked the first time in 18 years where women officiated at the top level of Bolivia’s football, with Alejandro Quisbert as the central referee and Wilma Balderrama serving as the VAR official. The presence of female referees added significant weight to this encounter, emphasizing evolution within the sport.
The scoring opened with Universitario taking the lead early on. Tommy Tobar was successful from the penalty spot after VAR detected infringement leading to the opportunity (15’). Despite hitting the crossbar with his initial attempt, Tobar's effort secured the first goal, putting his team on the front foot.
Despite losing the lead late in the first half, Universitario's fortunes shifted dramatically when their midfielder, Joel Calicho, received his marching orders due to cumulative instances of misconduct, having initially been cautioned with yellow before the VAR overturned his first penalty for one leading to direct red card (45’). It shifted the team dynamics, giving Wilstermann the numbers they needed to pivot the game to their advantage.
Wilstermann sought to capitalize on their numerical advantage immediately, coming close to levelling the score when Rudy Cardozo struck the crossbar (52’). Their persistence proved fruitful as Alejandro Barrón equalized with his goal at the 71st minute, stemming from Edwin Tumiri’s assist following his incisive run on the right flank.
The match, devoid of any intense passion due to both teams fulfilling mere formalities, nevertheless showcased flashes of skill, particularly from Tobar and Barrón. With the two sides sharing the spoils, each club maintained their respective standings with Universitario’s focus on maintaining competitive preparation for their next international campaign.
Overall, this encounter has been etched in the historical narrative of Bolivian football, reflecting gradual progress and breaking barriers, courtesy of the officiation by women. While the draw may not have boiled over with dramatic stakes for either side, the match highlighted positive competitiveness and skill's festive spirit.
Looking forward, both Universitario and Wilstermann have reflection points heading for their respective futures; one eye toward next season’s ambitions and the other assessing how to capitalize performances moving forward. The phase to conclusion looms poignant, but both clubs appear aligned with objectives to be renewed once the fixtures resume.