De Cacique will seek to strike first against the Minas Gerais side to set up an advantage for the rematch next Tuesday the 18th.
Colo Colo faces the playoff battle of the Copa Sudamericana 2023, a tournament where 16 teams chase a spot in the round of eight. The squad led by Gustavo Quinteros is joined by America-MG in a two-legged series to decide progression.
El Cacique remains in this stage after a transfer from the Copa Libertadores, finishing third in Group F with 6 points, earned through one win, three draws, and two defeats, trailing Boca Juniors and Deportivo Pereira. The Belo Horizonte squad – in its second CONMEBOL campaign after reaching the 2022 group stage – finished as the next in line to Defensa y Justicia with 10 points, thanks to three wins, one draw, and two losses.
Noting that Popular will be appearing in this competition for the seventh time, a tournament in which the club has only reached the final once. That breakthrough came in the 2006 opening: under Claudio Borghi, the team earned a 1-1 draw in Mexico against Pachuca but fell 1-2 in the rematch at the National Stadium, ending the dream of lifting the trophy, which had previously eluded the club during its Chilean era.
Overall, Colo Colo has 14 titles, 6 draws, and 8 defeats in this competition, with 45 goals scored and 28 conceded. The last participation occurred in 2022, reaching the round of 16. At the Monumental, they defeated Inter de Porto Alegre, thanks to goals from Juan Martín Lucero and Pablo Solari, but the return leg ended in a decisive 4-1 defeat in Beira-Rio.
The winner of this tie will advance to face Red Bull Bragantino in the next round, a team that qualified undefeated as the leader of Group C with 14 points.
The match between El Cacique and the Belo Horizonte squad can be watched live on ESPN according to the local cable operator:
- VTR: 48 (SD) (Stgo) – 843 (HD)
- DTV: 621 (SD) – 1620 (HD)
- ENTEL: 212 (HD)
- BRIGHT: 174 (SD) – 474 (HD)
- GTD/TELSUR: 84 (SD)
- MOVISTAR: 480 (SD) – 884 (HD)
- YOU SEE: 508 (SD)
- ZAP: 90 (HD)
Additionally, the game will be available online via the streaming platform Star+. It offers both monthly and annual subscription options. To subscribe, viewers should visit the Star+ website. The service supports TVs, computers, smartphones, tablets, and game consoles.
Note: This summary reflects ongoing coverage and standings as reported by Goal.