Sao Paolo vs Talleres de Cordoba

Sao Paulo are one point away from securing first place as they host Talleres at MorumBIS on Tuesday for their final Copa Libertadores group stage match.

A last-gasp equalizer on matchday five earned Sao Paulo a 1-1 draw against Club Libertad, keeping them three points clear at the top, while Talleres climbed to third after a 2-0 victory over Alianza Lima.

Sao Paulo have a knack for late drama, especially in this year’s competition, with half their group stage goals coming after the 75th minute. This includes a match-winning strike against Talleres on matchday one (1-0) and a crucial point earned in their latest outing.

Under Luis Zubeldia, Sao Paulo have been unbeaten at home since a 2-1 loss to Ponte Preta in February’s Paulista A1, though they’ve yet to win at MorumBIS in this year’s Libertadores.

Avoiding defeat on Tuesday would see Sao Paulo complete an unbeaten group stage, a feat they last achieved in 2005 when they won the tournament.

Soberano have been impenetrable in the first half of their five group matches, conceding no goals and tying for the fewest goals allowed in this phase.

Historically, Sao Paulo have dominated Talleres at home in this competition, keeping two clean sheets, including a 2-0 win in last year’s group stage.

For Talleres, an early Copa Libertadores exit looms, but a win could secure third place and a spot in the Copa Sudamericana, provided Alianza Lima don’t overturn a two-goal difference.

Interim coach Mariano Levisman has started strongly, remaining unbeaten in his first two matches without conceding.

However, Talleres have struggled on the road, losing their last three away group stage games and failing to win in normal time as visitors since defeating San Martin in February’s Argentine Primera Division.

Since 2021, Talleres are unbeaten in their last six group stage matches when scoring in the first half.

La T have never won on Brazilian soil in this competition, with their best result being a 0-0 draw against Sao Paulo at MorumBIS in the 2019 qualifiers.