In the closing stages of the Copa Sudamericana Group E clash in Brazil, the Italians found relief in a sturdy draw that reinforced their standing and underscored resilience. Audax Paulista held Santos to a goalless result at Vila Belmiro, keeping their hope alive as both teams faced different realities entering the contest. Santos, affectionately known as El Peixe, rode momentum from a confident Bolivia debut where they toppled Blooming, while the Chilean visitors arrived with an interim coach, Jose Calderón, seeking a result to prevent an early elimination. The encounter featured tight defensive lines, quick transitions, and a well-organized structure across the field, with the home side aiming to impose tempo from the opening whistle and the visitors trying to strike on the counter.
The visitors from Sao Paulo earned their point through disciplined defending and timely interventions by Tomás Ahumada, who weathered a rainy first half and delivered crucial stops in the decisive moments. The match hinted at a sleeping giant in the Florida club era, presenting one of the early surprises of 2023 for the squad that travels across South America in pursuit of continental glory. This result marked Audax’s first point of the tournament after a demanding group-stage battle, signaling their capacity to grind out outcomes under pressure. [CITATION: match report]
In the 94th minute, Audax confirmed their point with a performance characterized by grit and collective discipline in a difficult pool. The 55th-minute sequence saw Riveros inspire a defensive shift as Joao Paulo stretched to avert danger, illustrating the high-stakes chess played in the final third. Moments earlier, Lucas Lima found space outside the box and fired a powerful shot that beat the goalkeeper, only to see Soteldo apply pressure and the rebound drift wide, leaving the scoreline unaltered. [CITATION: play-by-play]
Early in the match, Neymar watched from the stands as the fixture intensified, with strategic defending shaping the rhythm and both sides seeking pathways to unlock the opposing backline. A curling free-kick by Tucu Sepúlveda in the 17th minute bent through a crowded wall, bringing a sharp test to Joao Paulo, who could not deny the bending effort. Ahumada again stood tall in the 11th minute, extinguishing Yeferson Soteldo’s danger before it could escalate, underscoring the Chilean keeper’s influence on proceedings. Likewise, in the 10th minute, Ahumada produced a decisive save to deny Marcos Leonardo from a corner, a moment that reflected the goalkeeper’s readiness to respond to set-piece threats. The teams kicked off at Vila Belmiro, both eager to assert their tempo and press their claims from the outset. [CITATION: match chronology]
The pre-match lineup, assembled by Jose Calderón for Audax and Odair Hellmann for Santos, featured a familiar cast of attackers and midfielders tasked with controlling the center of the park and dictating the flow of the cup tie. On the Santos side, the squad included João Paulo, Nathan, Messiah, Bauermann, F. Jonatan, R. Fernandes, Dodi, L. Lima, Angelo, Marcos Leonardo, and Soteldo. The substitutes watching from the bench were Vladimir, Joaquim, Maicon, L. Pires, Alison, Balieiro, Sandry, Camacho, Miguelito, D. Ruiz, Mendoza, and Deivid. The tactical leadership came from Odair Hellmann, whose side sought to translate technical quality into tangible chances while withstanding Audax’s stubborn resistance. [CITATION: lineups]
The report captures a snapshot of a Group E test that highlighted both teams navigating a challenging South American stage. The match showcased how patience, discipline, and strategic discipline can shape outcomes even when possession and chances are tightly contested. The result left Audax with a valuable lane in the standings and Santos with further lessons learned as the group campaign continues to unfold across the continent. This narrative emphasizes the practical mechanics of two teams balancing attack and defense in a footballing landscape where every point counts. [CITATION: tactical analysis]