The 2022 Libertadores Cup shifted into the most intense phase for the clubs: the group stage. Thirty-two teams entered this round, all chasing a spot in the Round of 16, yet only the top two in each group could advance. Group A presented a demanding challenge, featuring a defending champion and a lineup that promised compelling early battles.
The champion from the prior edition, a team that emerged victorious in 2021 by defeating Flamengo in the final, entered the draw as a seeded side. The initial assignments left them with what appeared to be manageable opponents: Emelec from Ecuador, Deportes Táchira from Venezuela, and Club Deportivo Independiente Petrolero from Bolivia. The balance of power in Group A favored form, and the standings began to reflect that early calm speed. Palmeiras, the defending champions with a commanding approach, displayed an imposing pace, scoring freely and allowing few goals, which cemented their position at the top of the table as the group stage unfolded. A favorable start opened the door to a confident passage into the knockout rounds, with two matches still on the horizon to secure qualification. In this narrative, Palmeiras established themselves as the team to beat, while Emelec, Deportivo Táchira, and Independiente Petrolero navigated the early rounds seeking a breakthrough win that could alter the group dynamic. The story of Group A was shaping up to be a showcase of efficiency, resilience, and the quiet anxiety that accompanies every title defense. For a detailed rundown, this source provides the essential milestones and outcomes from the opening phase of Group A [1].
LUMINAIRES
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DATE 1
06/04/22 | 20:00 | Deportivo Tachira 0-4 Palmeiras
06/04/22 | 22:00 | Oil Industry 1-1 Emelec
DATE 2
04/12/22 | 21:30 | Palmeiras 8-1 Oil Industry
22-04-22 | 21:00 | Emelec 1-1 Deportivo Tachira
DATE 3
22/04/22 | 18:15 | Oil Industry 1-2 Deportivo Táchira
22-04-22 | 19:00 | Emelec 1-3 Palmeiras
DATE 4
03/05/22 | 18:15 | Deportivo Tachira 1-4 Emelec
03/05/22 | 20:30 | Oil Industry 5-0 Palmeiras
DATE 5
18/05/22 | 19:00 | Palmeiras – Emelec
18/05/22 | 20:00 | Deportivo Táchira – Oil Industry
DATE 6
24/05/22 | 19:30 | Emelec – Oil Industry
24/05/22 | 21:30 | Palmeiras – Deportivo Tachira
*All times are expressed in local time.
POSITION TABLE
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| TEAM | pjs | PTSD | target difference |
|
Palm trees * |
4 |
12 |
+18 |
|
emelec |
4 |
5 |
+1 |
|
Sports Tachira |
4 |
3 |
-6 |
|
Oil independent |
4 |
a |
*Qualified for the round of 16
Source: Goal