Alianza FC failed in its first international experience: it was eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana with two games remaining

Alianza FC was on the verge of elimination after the 3-0 home defeat against Cruzeiro – credit Colpresa

In a convincing matchday 4 of 6, Cruzeiro achieved a 3-0 victory against Alianza FC, with an outstanding performance that allowed them to add three more points to their score in the tournament.

The match, held at the Armando Maestre Pavajeau stadium, turned in favor of the Brazilian team thanks to the goals of Lucas Silva Borges, Arthur Gomes Lourenço and Rafael Elias da Silva, marking a clear difference in the game and leaving behind the expectations of the rival team.

During the first 45 minutes, Alianza FC tried to create opportunities with the help of Emerson Batalla and Jesús Muñoz, but the efficiency of Cruzeiro’s goalkeeper Anderson prevented any attempt to score. Despite efforts to react in the second half, the Colombian team failed to score, and the match ended without further scoring.

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This victory comes at a crucial moment for Cruzeiro, after their recent draw against Unión La Calera, and overshadows the performance of Alianza FC, which had just faced a defeat in its previous match against Universidad Católica de Ecuador.

The previous meeting between both teams, played in Brazil, had ended with a 3-3 draw, which suggested a close match. However, this time, Cruzeiro was able to capitalize on his opportunities and turn them into a clear score in his favor.

Alianza FC is mathematically not eliminated, but to advance to the round they must beat the Ecuadorian team and Unión La Calera as a visitor. In addition, they must score a minimum of nine goals between both games to improve the goal difference, which is -6, and equal the leading team in the table with seven points and +3 goal difference.

In the tournament, the debuting team at international level accumulates four goals for and 10 goals against.

Alianza FC has to add six points and score more than six goals in two games to advance to the round – credit Cruzeiro

The leaders of each group will secure a direct place in the round of 16, while the teams that occupy the second position will have to play a play-off against the third parties of the Copa Libertadores groups.

This qualification mechanism, implemented last year, seeks to intensify competition and provide an additional route for teams to advance in the tournament.

The play-off ties were scheduled for the week of July 17 for the first legs, and the week of July 24 for the second legs, marking a crucial moment in the football calendar.

As the tournament progresses, the round of 16 phase will begin in the weeks of August 14 and 21, followed by the quarterfinals, which will take place in the weeks of September 19 and 26.

This progression towards the knockout rounds will culminate with the semi-finals, scheduled for October 23 and 30, setting the stage for the grand climax of the championship. The final, set for Saturday, November 23.

Independiente Medellín is second in its group to a leading unit, Always Ready – credit Independiente Medellín

Independiente Medellín achieved a crushing 1-5 victory against César Vallejo of Peru, in an exciting confrontation at the Mansiche stadium in Trujillo, corresponding to date 4 of the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana. This victory places the Colombian team at the head of Group A with 9 points, while César Vallejo remains in last position without having scored points.

The night began in favor of Independiente Medellín when Brayan León opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Although the home team quickly managed to equalize the match through a goal from Jairo Vélez in the 21st minute, DIM did not lose focus.

Before the end of the first half, Independiente Medellín regained the lead thanks to a second goal from León, thus setting the pace of the match. In the second half, the team led by Alfredo Arias intensified its attack, resulting in additional goals from Mender García, Miguel Monsalve and Baldomero Perlaza, sealing the victory with a final score of 1-5.