The home side couldn’t find a way to score on their own turf, and the pivotal moment came just before the break when Tucu Sepúlveda converted a well-timed opportunity, allowing Peixe to push ahead and secure a round-clinching win. That single strike changed the atmosphere in the stadium and set the tone for what followed, giving the visitors a clear path through to the next stage with hard-fought efficiency.
In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the situation unfolded differently from Blooming, who entered the South American competition with no points. The Italian side Audax, however, stepped up and collected the full three points, edging their total to ten. Those points matter more than ever as they position Audax in a tight race for the playoff slots, potentially determining who advances from Group E into the knockout rounds of the Copa Libertadores. The group’s dynamics have become a tale of steady leadership by Newell’s, with Santos no longer able to profit from any slip by Marcogiuseppe’s Chilean side. Santos find themselves out of contention after a home defeat that left them short of the wins required to stay in the running, even as Audax and their Bolivian hosts push to claim a place in the next phase. The Bolivian venue brought a different kind of challenge, with altitude considerations and a compact, competitive atmosphere that kept the outcome in doubt until the final minutes.
Matías Sepúlveda delivered the decisive assist from Fernando Juárez’s precise cross to open the scoring early in the match. The combination paid immediate dividends, but there was tension in the air as José Luis Sinisterra pulled the strings for the Italian side, injecting energy into the middle of the park and forcing the defense to stay alert. Sepúlveda himself then produced a moment of quality before the halftime whistle, carrying the ball from distance and finishing coolly to extend the lead and strengthen Audax’s grip on qualification. That goal—not just a strike, but a statement—helped steer the match toward a favorable conclusion for Audax as the minutes ticked away and the team maintained control after the break. The path to the next round seemed clearer, and the narrative around the tie shifted to what came after, rather than what had just happened on the field.
As the clock approached the 95th minute, the Italian Audax playoff dream solidified, and the chatter in the stands shifted to the next challenge—who would stand in the way of their Libertadores bid? The late-stage drama wasn’t just about final scores; it was about the momentum built by a squad that has shown grit and tactical discipline. Uraezaña stood out as a standout figure, pulling off a remarkable display in goal that kept his side within striking distance of a comeback, as Brazil’s Michael Fuentes tested him with a driven strike fed by Esteban Matus’s clever movements around the box. The goalkeeper’s performance under pressure underscored the competitive nature of the group and the varied sources of danger each side presented in the closing stages.
In an important moment 66 minutes in, Gonzalo Sosa looked to have found a second goal for Audax, only for the effort to be correctly ruled offside after a quick, physical counter-press by the defense. The officials signaled that there was a body ahead of the center forward, erasing what would have been a crucial cushion and reminding everyone involved that margins in this competition are razor-thin. The scoreboard, however, still told a favorable story for Audax as they held a 2-1 advantage by the end of the opening half, a result that reflected their composure and the work rate shown across the pitch. The opening 45 minutes had seen both teams exchange chances, with Audax’s early breakthrough combining with Blooming’s late hustle and renewed drive from their supporters in a stadium full of energy and expectation.
At the 45+3 minute mark, Audax’s performance earned them a two-goal advantage going into the break, a lead that provided the foundation for their ranking in the standings. The first-half sequence highlighted the visitors’ ability to combine patient build-up with incisive finishing, while Blooming, seeking to honor their campaign with a strong home performance, remained resolute and ready to reply after halftime. The tension and the rhythm of the match painted a clear portrait of a group that rewards persistence, strategic substitutions, and timely interceptions, all of which Audax leveraged to claim the win and reinforce their campaign viability.
Earlier, at the 38th minute, the crowd erupted as Sepúlveda struck with the left foot after a well-timed setup from the right side before Uraezaña could react. The ball found the net with precision, becoming a critical milestone in the cup tie and signaling Audax’s intent to push for a favorable result on the road. The sequence underscored the narrow margins that define these fixtures, where a single strike can influence the trajectory of an entire group and shape the tone for the remainder of the campaign.
Blooming pressed hard to salvage pride and create headlines worthy of their history, while Audax prepared to review the group standings with an eye on the next challenge. The match served as a reminder of the intensity of the Copa Libertadores group phase, where every ball in the box, every decisive pass, and every goalkeeper’s save can tilt the balance between advancement and elimination. Audax’s resilience and tactical discipline were on display from start to finish, reinforcing their growing reputation on the continental stage. The team’s strategic approach—balanced defense, quick transitions, and relentless pursuit of goals—provided them with the platform to secure their place among the contenders in the group.
Audax’s lineup and tactical choices reflected a clear plan for maximizing their chances in the group stage, with an emphasis on compact defense in front of a capable goalkeeper, quick counters, and decisive finishes in the final third. The performance offered observers a compelling case for Audax as a legitimate threat in the tournament as they continue their pursuit of a coveted Libertadores berth and a deeper run in the competition. Blooming’s campaign, by contrast, remained a work in progress, their focus now turning to rebuilding and learning from the setbacks to mount a future challenge in the same arena.