Olimpia Defeat Audax Italiano in Copa Sudamericana Opener

Club Olimpia of Paraguay secured a decisive 2-0 away victory against Audax Italiano on April 8, 2026, in their opening group stage match of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana. The result provides the Paraguayan side with an early lead in their group, while leaving the Chilean club with a disappointing start to the tournament.

The match took place at the Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida, where Olimpia managed to control the tempo and capitalize on their opportunities to secure three points on the road.

Match Summary and Scoring

Olimpia established their dominance early in the game, utilizing a high-pressure approach to keep the hosts on the defensive. This pressure resulted in the first goal in the 21st minute following a rapid counterattack.

The opening goal was developed when Adrián Alcaraz provided the ball to Romeo Martínez. Martínez drove down the left flank and delivered a cross to the far post, which was finished by Rubén Lezcano to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

The Paraguayan side continued to dictate the play under the direction of manager Pablo Vitamina Sánchez. In the 34th minute, Olimpia doubled their advantage. Following a short corner, Romeo Martínez again played a key role, delivering the ball to Juan Fernando Alfaro, who scored from close range to make it 2-0.

Audax Italiano attempted to recover in the second half and came close to scoring an equalizer at the 60-minute mark. However, they were unable to convert the chance as the ball struck the post and was stopped by goalkeeper Gastón Olveira.

Team Form and Context

The two teams entered the fixture with contrasting levels of momentum. Olimpia arrived in Chile in strong domestic form, leading their local league with a record of 11 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss.

In contrast, Audax Italiano has struggled with inconsistency at the start of their season, experiencing fluctuations in both their results and the quality of their play.

Following the match, Audax Italiano manager Franco Troyansky expressed his frustration, suggesting that his team had been superior to their opponents despite the final scoreline.

Group Standings and Future Fixtures

With this victory, Club Olimpia currently sits at the top of their group with 3 points and a goal difference of +2. Audax Italiano remains at the bottom of the group with 0 points and a goal difference of -2.

The group also includes Vasco da Gama and Barracas Central, both of whom have 1 point following their respective opening matches.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again for their return fixture on May 27, 2026. That match will take place at the Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, Paraguay, with a scheduled kickoff time of 8:30 PM.