The dream of São Paulo Paulo in Sudamericana 2023 ended. After losing 2-1 in Ecuador, those led by Dorival Júnior managed to take the series against LDU to penalties thanks to a header from Robert Arboleda at minute 77, at the Morumbi stadium. However, the visiting team prevailed 5-4 from twelve steps and got a ticket to the semifinals, where they will face Defensa y Justicia (who eliminated Botafogo).
James Rodríguez produced the assist on the goal, but was left with a bitter taste when he missed his shot in the decisive shootout. The Colombian was the second performer of the Tricolor Paulista and sent his shot over the crossbar. With a 100% effectiveness, the mistake of the former Real Madrid was enough for the LDU to strike the Morumbi.
READ MORE
++ Former Barcelona and son of Brazilian, Léo dos Reis is announced by Spanish club
++ Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe is awarded alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi League
++ Betis could make a last-minute move for Coutinho in the transfer window
LDU is a difficult adversary for Brazilians: the precedent of the Libertadores 2008
The feat of the Ecuadorian cast in São Paulo takes us back to an even bigger epic that occurred 15 years ago. On July 2, 2008, LDU gave one of the biggest hits in the history of the Copa Libertadores by beating Fluminense in a packed Maracanã.
Like this time, they did it on penalties. The team then led by Edgardo Bauza had been a rival to Renato Gaúcho’s team in the group stage: it was a goalless draw in Quito, while they fell 1-0 in Brazil. They met again in the final, although this time it was different.
The LDU asserted the locality in the first leg and won 4-2. Luis Bolaños put the “Albos” ahead after just six minutes in the rematch, but the Flu answered with three goals from Thiago Neves to define the tournament on penalties.
In the shootout, José Cevallos became a giant by stopping three shots and shocking the home crowd. Liga de Quito lifted the cup at the Maracana and extended the wait for the Rio de Janeiro team.
Many years later, the King of Cups from Ecuador became strong again in Brazil.
The final of the South American 2023 will have a Brazilian team
Despite the eliminations of Botafogo and São Paulo, Brazil will be represented in the 2023 South American final by Corinthians or Fortaleza. Timao left Estudiantes de La Plata out on penalties, while Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s team crossed out América Mineiro with a 5-2 aggregate.
What’s next for São Paulo
Although it is a hard blow for the squad, São Paulo still has a big challenge ahead: the final of the Brazil Cup against Flamengo. The first leg at the Maracana will be on Sunday, September 17, while the definition at the Morumbi will take place a week later.
