São Paulo beat Talleres away from home, with a goal by Alisson, in the first round of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
São Paulo started the 2025 Copa Libertadores on the right foot. This Wednesday (2/5), Tricolor Paulista beat Talleres 1-0, at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium, in Córdoba, Argentina, in the first round of the group stage. Alisson scored the goal. With the result, coach Luis Zubeldía sees the pressure on his work ease. The São Paulo club is in second place in Group D, with three points, as is Libertad-PAR, which beat Alianza Lima-PER, and is leading.
The Argentines are in last place, with zero. São Paulo returns to the field on Sunday (6), when it visits Atlético-MG, in the second round of the Brazilian Championship. The ball will roll on the pitch at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte (MG), starting at 4 pm (Brasília time). The next challenge for the Libertadores will be on April 10, Thursday, at 9:30 pm, against Alianza Lima, at Morumbis, for the second round of the group stage. On Tuesday (8), at 7 pm, Talleres will face Libertad, away from home.
The first half was very lukewarm at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium. Tricolor knew how to defend itself well and did not suffer any threat from the home team. The only shot from the home team came in the 29th minute. Portilla took a chance from midfield and was easily saved by Rafael. In attack, however, the Brazilians were not creative. The team struggled to create plays and pose any danger.
With the clock showing 36, Calleri even managed to score, but the goal was disallowed for offside by Oscar, who crossed to the number 9. After the break, São Paulo tried to be more aggressive. Four minutes in, Cédric picked up the rebound at the edge of the box and shot past Herrera in two attempts. Then, Arboleda rose higher than the defense after a corner kick from Oscar and headed the ball into the corner. The goalkeeper cleared it off the line and prevented the goal. From then on, Talleres tried to loosen up a bit more.
At 22, Riveros tried his luck from outside the box and hit the post. Three minutes later, it was Benavídez’s turn to scare the team, with another shot from the edge of the box that went just wide. At 30, the net finally shook in Córdoba. The Argentine team’s defense poorly cleared the cross and left it at Alisson’s feet. The midfielder controlled the ball, adjusted it to his left foot and shot with precision.
Herrera even managed to touch the ball, but was unable to prevent the Tricolor goal. Talleres almost tied the game moments later. Reynoso took a corner, and Alan Franco, in an attempt to clear it, headed it into his own goal, hitting the crossbar. In the end, the home team tried to apply pressure, but it was not enough.
