Almost there! What São Paulo need to reach Sul-Americana last 16 | OneFootball

Luck really does seem to be on São Paulo’s side at the start of this Copa Sudamericana. After drawing at home with Millonarios in the last round, Tricolor saw bottom-placed Boston River win and keep São Paulo at the top of Group C.

Having had zero points until then after four defeats, the Uruguayan side finally got its first win, beating O’Higgins 3-2. As a result, the beaten Chilean team remains in 3rd place with 7 points, behind Millonarios with 8 and São Paulo with 9. Therefore, Tricolor depends only on itself to secure 1st place in the group and advance to the round of 16 without the need for an extra match.

In the Copa Sudamericana, only the group leaders advance directly, while the runners-up go through a playoff against an opponent coming from the Copa Libertadores to determine who stays alive. São Paulo is already guaranteed at least 2nd place in the group.

Tricolor therefore has its qualification practically secured, since its final match is precisely against weak Boston River, at Morumbi, this Tuesday (26), to seal qualification once and for all. If it wins, it advances from Group C in 1st place.

THE QUALIFICATION SCENARIOS

Even if it slips up against Boston and draws once again, Tricolor still has a good chance of advancing in first place. This would only not happen if Millonarios beat O’Higgins in the final round, as they would reach 11 points, leaving São Paulo with 10.

A draw in that match or an O’Higgins win would still qualify Tricolor, since the Chileans could level São Paulo on 10 points, but would remain in 2nd place on the tiebreakers.

Even with an embarrassing defeat, Dorival Jr.’s team can still advance directly to the round of 16. If it loses and stays on 9 points, it would have to hope Millonarios and O’Higgins draw in Colombia. The home side would match that point total, but would also finish in 2nd place, since it lost its matchup against Tricolor in this group stage.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.