Caracas defeated Independiente 3-2 in a thrilling Copa Sudamericana group stage match at Estadio Olímpico Patria in Sucre. Despite Independiente's statistical dominance, the Venezuelans prevailed with key goals. The expulsion of Saúl Torres defined the game.
The match, played on May 6, 2026, at 19:00 Argentina time, ended with a 3-2 victory for Caracas. The visitors' goals came from an own goal by Francisco Rodríguez at 3' of the first half (PT), Adrián Fernández at 14' PT, and Wilfred Correa at 21' of the second half (ST). Independiente replied with goals from Rodrigo Rivas at 9' ST and Jonathan Cristaldo at 12' ST.
Independiente dominated the final stats: 56% possession to 44%, 21 shots on target versus 15, 312 accurate passes to 190, and 31 recoveries against 8. Yet an early expulsion shifted the game: Saúl Torres of Independiente received a red card at 27' PT from referee Joel Alarcón. Caracas picked up two yellows: Irving Gudiño at 46' ST and Eduardo Enrique Fereira Peñaranda at 11' ST.
Multiple substitutions occurred. In the first half, Independiente replaced Alan Mercado with Leonardo Montenegro at 33' PT. At halftime, Independiente removed Francisco Rodríguez and Jonathan Cristaldo for Wagner Zacarias de Araujo and Rodrigo Rivas; Caracas swapped Michael Covea for Lucciano Reinoso. In the second half, further changes included Daniel Rojas, Rudy Cardozo, and Wilfred Correa.
The game aired live on Disney+ Premium and ESPN 3. Upcoming: Independiente visits Botafogo on May 20 at 21:00 at Estadio Olímpico Patria, and Caracas faces Racing Club on May 21 at 21:00 at Estadio Presidente Perón.
