Fortaleza Eliminated by Vélez in Libertadores Clash
Fortaleza’s dream of making history in the Copa Libertadores came to an end this Tuesday night in Buenos Aires. After a hard-fought goalless draw in the first leg at the Castelão, the team traveled to Argentina needing just a win to move on to the quarterfinals. But instead of celebration, what came was frustration, as Vélez Sarsfield secured a 2–0 victory and advanced, leaving the Tricolor out of the tournament in the round of 16.
The game at José Amalfitani Stadium started in the worst possible way for Fortaleza. Just six minutes into the match, the home side found the net and put immediate pressure on the Brazilians, who needed to respond quickly. Instead, the situation only grew more complicated when Vélez doubled their lead still in the first half. From that point on, the Argentine club controlled the rhythm of the match, relying on the energy of its fans and the compact style that has made them so difficult to beat at home.
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For Fortaleza, the night turned into a story of what could have been. This was a chance to place football from Brazil’s Northeast among the continent’s elite once again, something that has rarely been achieved in Libertadores history. The Tricolor had managed to reach the knockout stages for the second time in recent years, but once more the step into the quarterfinals proved too steep.
After the match, left-back Bruno Pacheco did not hide his disappointment. He explained that the strategy prepared before the game had not been carried out on the field. The team’s defensive lines were not compact, too much space was given to the opponent, and when possession was won, it was quickly handed back to Vélez. These mistakes, he admitted, cost them dearly. Despite the warnings at halftime, the reaction never really came.
The elimination hurts not only because of the missed opportunity but also because of the timing. Fortaleza is struggling in the Brazilian league and had hoped the Libertadores could provide a moment of glory to balance the season. Now, focus will have to shift back to the domestic competition, with the team scheduled to face Mirassol on Sunday at the Castelão, trying to escape the relegation zone.
On the broader scale, Fortaleza’s campaign still deserves recognition. Competing in South America’s top club tournament for the third time in four years, the Tricolor showed consistency on the international stage. Financially, the club also earned nearly R$ 27 million from participation, which will help in future planning. Still, the bitter taste remains. For the fans, what lingers is the sense that a historic chance slipped away.
So, the 2025 Libertadores chapter for Fortaleza closes here, with Vélez celebrating in Buenos Aires and the Tricolor returning home with lessons to learn. Now, the battle continues, but this time on Brazilian soil, where survival in the league has become the immediate mission.
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