In a thrilling encounter at the Barradão stadium in Salvador, Vitória and Defensa y Justicia battled to a 1-1 draw in the fourth round of the 2025 Copa Sul-Americana on Tuesday, May 6. Both teams entered the match desperate for a win, having failed to secure a victory in the tournament thus far. Vitória, coached by Thiago Carpini, was looking to bounce back after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ceará in the Campeonato Brasileiro just three days earlier.
The match kicked off with high intensity, as Vitória started aggressively, creating several chances in the opening minutes. Osvaldo and Wellington Rato were particularly active, with Rato almost finding the net when he struck the crossbar with a powerful shot from outside the area. The early pressure from the home side was palpable, and they were rewarded for their efforts in the 35th minute when Edu capitalized on a mistake by Defensa y Justicia's goalkeeper, Bologna, to open the scoring.
Despite taking the lead, Vitória could not maintain their momentum, and Defensa y Justicia began to push back. The Argentine side, under coach Pablo de Muner, nearly equalized shortly after Edu's goal, with Cannavó hitting the post following a well-placed header. The first half ended with Vitória leading 1-0, but the visitors seemed poised to capitalize on their growing chances.
As the second half commenced, Vitória continued to create opportunities but failed to convert them into goals. Janderson set up Rato for a close-range chance just a minute into the half, but the striker squandered the opportunity. Another golden chance came seven minutes later when Mosquito, who had been lively throughout the match, missed a clear shot inside the box.
In contrast, Defensa y Justicia made the most of their first set-piece opportunity of the half. Just nine minutes into the second period, Gastón Togni struck a precise free-kick that found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1. This goal shifted the momentum of the match, and the visitors began to hold their ground, defending resolutely against a flurry of attacks from Vitória.
Despite their efforts, Vitória could not find the winning goal, and the match ended in a stalemate. The draw left both teams with three points in Group B of the Copa Sul-Americana, with Universidad Católica leading the group with seven points, followed by Cerro Largo with four.
The match saw a total attendance of 7,946 spectators, generating a revenue of R$153,965.00. Several players received yellow cards during the match, including Edu, Neris, and Hugo from Vitória, while César Pérez was cautioned for Defensa y Justicia.
Looking ahead, Vitória's coach, Thiago Carpini, may need to reassess his strategy as his team prepares for their next fixtures. They will need to secure wins against Cerro Largo and Universidad Católica to keep their hopes of progressing in the tournament alive. Meanwhile, Defensa y Justicia will also be eager to improve their performance as they face similar challenges in the coming matches.
In terms of lineups, Vitória featured Lucas Arcanjo in goal, with a defensive line comprising Raúl Cáceres, Edu, Neris, and Hugo. The midfield included Ricardo Ryller, Ronald, and Wellington Rato, while the attacking trio consisted of Gustavo Mosquito, Osvaldo, and Fabri. On the other hand, Defensa y Justicia started with Bologna; Cannavó, Emanuel Aguilera, Rafael Delgado, and Alexis Soto; Gutiérrez, César Pérez, and Lucas González; Togni, Francisco González, and Abiel Osorio.
As both teams reflect on their performances, the results highlight the competitive nature of the Copa Sul-Americana, where every match counts and teams must capitalize on their opportunities to advance. The draw may feel like a setback, but it also provides a foundation for both sides to build upon as they continue their campaigns.
