Draw from Brazil evened up the score: Vélez made it 0-0 against Fortaleza
In a rainy evening at José Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Vélez Sarsfield secured their place in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Copa Libertadores with a 2-0 win over Fortaleza.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto's team took control early, with Maher Carrizo scoring the opening goal at the 6th minute from a free-kick situation. Tomás Galván doubled the lead before half-time, capitalising on a good pass inside the area.
Fortaleza struggled offensively in the first half but managed to create some opportunities after the break, including a shot from Lucca Prior that hit the post. However, they were unable to find the back of the net, and Vélez held on to their 2-0 advantage.
The second half saw an improvement from Fortaleza, but it was not enough to break down Vélez's defence. The home team's performance improved significantly with the entrance of Kevin Andrade in the second half.
However, Fortaleza's hopes of a comeback were hampered when Matheus Rossetto, a substitute for the Brazilian side, was sent off with three minutes remaining, leaving them with one less man.
Despite being away from home, Vélez maintained their focus and tactical discipline, keeping Fortaleza at bay. Tomás Marchiori, in particular, handled defensive pressure well for the Argentine side.
Emanuel Mammana had a clear chance to extend Vélez's lead in the first half, but his header was saved by Helton Leite. Imanol Machuca, on loan to Vélez from Fortaleza, came close to setting up a goal for his team, but it was not meant to be.
The first leg of this Round of 16 tie had ended in a 0-0 draw at Fortaleza’s home stadium. This outcome confirms Vélez Sarsfield as a strong contender heading into the quarterfinals. Fortaleza's efforts, while commendable, fell short in overcoming the Argentine side’s home advantage and effective finishing.
The match between Vélez and Fortaleza in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 is ongoing. The Brazilian side will now have to regroup and prepare for their next challenge, while Vélez look forward to the quarterfinals with confidence.
References: [1] https://www.espn.com/soccer/veles-sarsfield/story/4537098/veles-sarsfield-beat-fortaleza-to-reach-copa-libertadores-quarterfinals [2] https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/veles-sarsfield-beat-fortaleza-to-reach-copa-libertadores-quarterfinals/1w3h3v5783j511e2kf8v38y8w [3] https://www.si.com/soccer/2025/08/19/veles-sarsfield-fortaleza-copa-libertadores-round-of-16-2025
In the post-match analysis, the sports news outlets reported that Vélez Sarsfield's victory over Fortaleza in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 was largely due to their outstanding performance in football, particularly their effective finishing and tactical discipline. Fortaleza, on the other hand, will need to reassess their sports strategy ahead of their next challenge, having struggled to break down Vélez's defense.
