BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — During di latest Copa Libertadores match, River Plate fans designed one of di most epic welcomes wey don ever happen for di tournament history. Dem light up El Monumental stadium with flares, fireworks, and chants to intimidate their opponents Atlético Mineiro for di semifinal second leg on April 7, 2024. Dis display catch di attention of di whole sports world.
Di “banderazo” before dem kick off show as di fans still dey hope say dem fit overturn a 0–3 deficit against di strong Brazilian squad. Even though di final score no favor River, di historic welcome impress and touch di hearts of thousands wey dey watch.
Dem delay di start of di match because of di thick smoke and intense pyrotechnics wey fill every corner of di stadium. With over 85,000 fans for di stands, di miracle comeback no happen, but di electric atmosphere leave both players and coaches from both sides in awe.
“If we go talk one tin about River fans, we go say dem deserve all di recognition,” said Marcelo Gallardo, wey be di head coach for di Argentine side. “Di emotion and passion wey dem show during dis tough time — with di team struggling and poor results — na incredible. Dem show up and support us throughout di match.”
From di Brazilian camp, captain Hulk join praise di atmosphere too: “Dis one dey special. Di River fans deserve kudos; dem put on an amazing show. El Monumental na an incredible stadium.” But e no be all celebration. According to CONMEBOL, some security protocols wey dem violate during di match bring up issues of racism, leading to a harsh sanction for River Plate.
River go play one match behind closed doors and dem go pay fine of $195,000 wey go chop from their 2025 Copa Libertadores earnings. Di punishment include one game wey dem no fit attend with fans.
Dis week also mark di real start of di world’s most exciting club football competition as di Copa Libertadores open di group phase for di 2025 season in stellar fashion, delighting fans across South America — but di Boca Juniors faithful still dey mourn dia painful exit for di preliminary stages, leaving dem without continental football for di rest of di year.
Racing Club again show di world dia flair, even as dem suffer for local league. Fresh from a defeat to Independiente Rivadavia, Racing turn up as dem enter di north of Brazil and take another Serie A scalp, dispatching Fortaleza 3-0. Di second-half performance na one for di ages, leaving Fortaleza to wonder how e no worse.
Coach Gustavo Costas dey consider applying to di Brasileirão after successfully knocking another Brazilian team out amid challenges. Since di start of 2024, Racing don face Brazilian teams 10 times and don win seven, drawn one, and lose two. Just within 2025 alone, dem don collect victories over Botafogo and Fortaleza.
Di exceptional Juan Nardoni nearly score one goal wey for enter contention for di Puskas Award, but di opposing goalkeeper manage block am. Racing’s impressive Copa form recall di early days of Marcelo Gallardo and River, who waited seven years before dem fit win their first league title after sweeping di continental finals.
Meanwhile, di rest of di Argentine clubs dey have mixed fortunes. Independiente nearly run out of gas for dia Sudamericana opener, needing oxygen after dia tiring 2-0 defeat at di hands of Nacional de Potosí, wey dey play for 3,800 meters above sea level. Estudiantes face tough travel but still manage to win 2-0 against Carabobo.
Vélez come back from di brink to win 2-1 against Peñarol while Talleres fall to São Paulo. Amidst di ups and downs, Costas has inspired a continent eager to compete more with di South American heavyweights.
Unión and Huracán join di party by defeating Brazilian teams, with Huracán claiming a fantastic 2-1 victory over Corinthians. Peru’s Melgar and Cienciano also hold di fort during draws against Vasco and Atlético Mineiro.
Are we witnessing a change for di better in South American football? E dey hard to say now, but many teams dey ready to disrupt di long-standing dominance of Brazilian clubs in di Copa.
