At nearly 4,000 meters above sea level in La Paz, Bolivia, São Paulo drew 1-1 with Bolívar this Tuesday (11) in the first leg of the 2026 Conmebol Sudamericana round of 16.
Tricolor Paulista was well organized on the pitch and took the lead through Arboleda in the first half.
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It was the Ecuadorian center back’s first goal after leaving the club midway through the season, only to be brought back into the squad after being “backed” by director Rafinha.
However, despite a solid first half, São Paulo could not withstand the opponent’s pressure.
Bolívar’s goal, in fact, came in the most “common” way in high-altitude matches: a long-range shot, taking advantage of the difference in the ball’s “weight.”
😡 Controversy over the new rules
Conmebol has put the rules for the 2026 FIFA World Cup into effect, which, among other measures, give goalkeepers only 5 seconds to restart play from a goal kick.
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If they take longer than five seconds, the opposing team is awarded a corner.
Colombian referee Wilmar Roldán strictly enforced the new rules and angered both the players and São Paulo fans.
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FIFA’s new rule will also be implemented in CBF competitions.
🚦 How it stands
With the result, whoever wins next Tuesday (18) at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time at MorumBIS will advance to the Sudamericana quarterfinals.
If it ends in another draw, the spot will be decided on penalties.
Before that, however, São Paulo hosts Coritiba at MorumBIS at 9 p.m. Brasília time in the 23rd round of the Brasileirão.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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