Fortaleza safe in locker room while protocol defines future of interrupted game: two fans died

The Monumental David Arellano Stadium in Santiago became the scene of unexpected chaos on Thursday night during the clash between Colo-Colo and Fortaleza in the Conmebol Libertadores. The match, part of the second round of the group stage, was suspended in the second half after Colo-Colo fans invaded the pitch, outraged by the news of two supporters’ deaths outside the stadium. The score, up to the point of the stoppage, remained tied at 0-0. Conmebol’s protocol, which allows for a 45-minute wait to assess safety, is still in effect, but the resumption of the game remains uncertain. Players, referees, and Fortaleza’s technical staff are secured in the locker rooms, while the area surrounding the stadium faces tension and disorder.

The first half was dominated by Colo-Colo, who pressed Fortaleza with high ball possession and rehearsed plays. João Ricardo, Fortaleza’s goalkeeper, stood out with crucial saves, keeping the scoreline blank despite eight shots from the Chilean side. Fortaleza struggled to create chances, relying on sporadic counterattacks led by Marinho and Lucero. The Chilean crowd, fervent from the start, created an intense atmosphere, but the mood shifted dramatically in the second half with incidents outside the stadium.

Around the 24th minute of the second half, the match was paused for the first time due to objects thrown onto the pitch. The situation escalated quickly, culminating in a field invasion at the 27th minute. Fans shattered the glass separating the stands from the field, and Conmebol announced the official stoppage. At the 63rd minute, the organization clarified that the match is suspended, but the waiting protocol continues, with match delegates monitoring conditions to determine the next steps.

Chilean pressure from the opening whistle

Colo-Colo took the field determined to capitalize on their home advantage. With 74% possession in the first half, the Chilean team exploited the flanks, particularly through Isla and Aquino, creating dangerous opportunities. At the 9th minute, Cepeda had a clear chance but misfired in front of goal. João Ricardo, Fortaleza’s standout, shone by saving a header from a corner in the same minute, preserving the deadlock.

Despite the pressure, Fortaleza held firm. The Ceará defense, anchored by Kuscevic, neutralized several moves, while Mancuso and Martínez tried to organize the midfield. In attack, Fortaleza relied on individual efforts, like Marinho’s attempt at the 6th minute, shooting from a tight angle and sending the ball over the bar. A lack of offensive creativity limited Fortaleza’s chances, and they reached halftime relieved to avoid conceding.

At halftime, both teams returned with tactical adjustments. Fortaleza aimed for more aggression, while Colo-Colo maintained their intense pace. Second-half substitutions, such as Deyverson and Moisés, signaled coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda’s intent to shift the game’s dynamics. However, events off the pitch soon took center stage, halting any tactical progress.

Chaos escalates in the second half

The second half began with Colo-Colo sustaining their pressure. At the 7th minute, Aquino delivered a dangerous cross, blocked by Fortaleza’s defense. Fortaleza countered with a free kick at the 2nd minute, but the Chilean backline cleared it easily. The game, until then balanced in physical disputes, grew tense at the 5th minute when Martínez and Saldívia clashed, requiring teammates to intervene.

At the 24th minute, the referee halted play for the first time. Colo-Colo fans were throwing objects onto the pitch, including pieces of iron, raising concerns. Deyverson, still on the bench, picked up one of the objects and showed it to the referee, underscoring the severity of the situation. Players like Isla, Vidal, and Cepeda tried to calm the crowd, but the unrest grew, fueled by the news of two fans’ deaths outside the stadium, confirmed at the 49th minute.

The field invasion at the 27th minute marked the breaking point. Fans stormed the pitch, some holding objects, while others sought to interact with Colo-Colo players. Fortaleza, prioritizing safety, rushed to the locker rooms, followed by the referees, who were escorted by security. By the 34th minute, all Fortaleza players were safe, and the match remained without prospects of restarting.

Key moments before the stoppage

The match had plays that could have altered the scoreline before the interruption. Below are the five main moments recorded:

• 9’ 1T: Cepeda receives on the left, faces João Ricardo, but shoots poorly, sending the ball out of bounds.
• 20’ 1T: Colo-Colo’s rehearsed corner ends with Isla shooting over the bar after a strong pass from Aquino.
• 25’ 1T: Correa dribbles past Fortaleza’s defense and shoots low, but João Ricardo makes a crucial save.
• 17’ 2T: Cepeda tries from distance, and João Ricardo saves. Moments later, Correa shoots close to the goal.
• 24’ 2T: Fans throw objects onto the pitch, leading to the first pause in the game.

Conmebol’s protocol in action

Conmebol follows a strict protocol for emergency situations in Libertadores matches. The initial stoppage at the 24th minute of the second half was prompted by safety concerns, with dangerous objects on the pitch. The procedure allows for a 45-minute wait, during which a team assesses the stadium and surrounding conditions. At the 57th minute, the stadium’s sound system announced the suspension, but at the 63rd minute, Conmebol clarified that the waiting protocol remains active.

Match delegates, alongside local authorities, are monitoring the situation. The departure of many fans from the stadium, reported at the 50th minute, complicates the chances of resumption. Fortaleza issued a statement confirming that all its players, directors, and staff are safe in the locker rooms, awaiting further instructions. Uncertainty about the match’s outcome persists, with Conmebol prioritizing the safety of everyone involved.

The tension outside the stadium, described as intense at the 50th minute, adds complexity to the decision. Chilean police were deployed to contain potential conflicts, but the situation remains volatile. Conmebol is expected to announce soon whether the match will resume, be terminated, or postponed, based on safety conditions.

Tragedy that rocked the match

The confirmation of two Colo-Colo fans’ deaths, at the 49th minute of the second half, was the spark for the crowd’s outrage. The incidents occurred outside the Monumental Stadium but quickly impacted the atmosphere inside. The news triggered anger, leading to the field invasion and the match’s definitive halt. Many fans, overwhelmed by emotion, left the stadium, while others stayed, awaiting updates.

The shattering of the glass separating the stands from the pitch, at the 25th minute, symbolized the escalating chaos. Fans threw dangerous objects, such as pieces of iron, endangering players and referees. Fortaleza’s swift evacuation to the locker rooms prevented direct confrontations, but the incident exposed the security challenges in major sporting events.

Colo-Colo players, including Vidal and Isla, tried to mediate the conflict, engaging with fans and referees. The Chilean players’ composure was crucial in preventing a worse escalation, but it couldn’t contain the widespread unrest. Conmebol now faces the task of managing the crisis, while Chilean authorities investigate the circumstances of the deaths.

Tactical performance before the turmoil

Colo-Colo displayed tactical superiority in the first half, controlling possession and creating clear chances. Coach Jorge Almirón relied on wing play, with Isla and Aquino standing out. Correa, the main offensive threat, challenged Fortaleza’s defense with dribbles and shots but was thwarted by an inspired João Ricardo.

Fortaleza, led by Juan Pablo Vojvoda, struggled to impose their game. Coming off a loss in their Libertadores debut, the Ceará side bet on quick transitions with Marinho and Lucero, but Chile’s tight marking limited their options. Second-half substitutions, like Deyverson and Moisés, aimed to boost the attack, but the match was halted before the changes could take effect.

First-half stats underscore Colo-Colo’s dominance: 74% possession against Fortaleza’s 26%, and eight shots compared to Fortaleza’s three. Corners also favored Colo-Colo, with six to Fortaleza’s three. Despite the pressure, Fortaleza’s defensive resilience, led by João Ricardo and Kuscevic, kept the score at 0-0 until the stoppage.

Reactions and stadium safety

The field invasion raised immediate concerns for the safety of those involved. Fortaleza acted swiftly, guiding their players to the locker rooms at the 27th minute. Lucero, a former Colo-Colo player, and Marinho, a team leader, directed their teammates during the chaos, ensuring everyone reached safety. By the 34th minute, the entire Ceará delegation was secure.

On Colo-Colo’s side, players like Vidal, Isla, and Cepeda tried to calm the fans, but the outrage was widespread. Some supporters, upon invading the pitch, sought to interact with Colo-Colo players, while others vented their frustration. The refereeing team, led by Gustavo Tejera, was escorted to the locker rooms at the 32nd minute, avoiding further risks.

Outside the stadium, tension escalated with the confirmation of the deaths. Chilean police reinforced security in the area, but reports indicate challenges in controlling the crowd. Fans who left the venue faced transportation issues, while others waited for news on the match’s future.

Libertadores context for the teams

The match was critical for both Colo-Colo and Fortaleza in Group E of the Libertadores. Colo-Colo, with two points from a draw in their opener, sought a home win to solidify their position. As the current Chilean champions, the team relies on the experience of Vidal and Isla to advance to the knockout stages.

Fortaleza, with just one point, needed a positive result to recover from their first-round loss. The Ceará side, which had a strong 2024 in the Brasileirão, faces pressure to improve their continental performance. The match’s suspension adds uncertainty to their campaign, now hinging on Conmebol’s decisions.

The game also carried off-field rivalry. Lucero, a former Colo-Colo star, faced taunts from the Chilean crowd since the group stage draw, stemming from his controversial 2022 transfer to Fortaleza. The striker, despite a yellow card at the 15th minute of the second half, was a key hope for Fortaleza’s attack but was substituted before the stoppage.