São Paulo secured their place in the Copa Libertadores round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Talleres on Tuesday at the Morumbi stadium. The Brazilian team finished unbeaten in Group D with 14 points and claimed the top spot, while the Argentine side was left in a tough position, depending on the result between Libertad and Alianza Lima to determine their fate in international competitions.

The match was filled with emotion both on and off the pitch. In the 26th minute, Sabino opened the scoring with a set-piece play. Shortly after, Federico Girotti equalized for Talleres by capitalizing on a rebound in the box. The winning goal came in the 83rd minute from Luciano, who took advantage of a previous play by Ryan Francisco.

With this victory, the team coached by Argentine Luis Zubeldía closed out the group stage with four wins and two draws, despite several key absences, including Jonathan Calleri, Alisson, and Oscar.

Miguel Navarro in tears after alleged act of racism

Beyond the result, the match was overshadowed by an incident that caused outrage. In the final minutes of the game, Venezuelan player Miguel Navarro, a defender for Talleres, broke down in tears after a verbal exchange with Paraguayan Damián Bobadilla of São Paulo. According to teammate Federico Girotti, who spoke to ESPN, Bobadilla allegedly insulted Navarro with a discriminatory comment related to his nationality.

Navarro, visibly shaken, was close to leaving the field but was consoled by teammates, opponents, and the referee. He later filed a complaint with the military police at Morumbi Stadium. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to go home. He knows what he said to me,” Navarro stated after the match.

The incident was confirmed by interim Talleres coach Mariano Levisman, who said in a press conference that it was a case of xenophobia. Team captain Augusto Schott also condemned the incident: “It hurts us because we’re in a place that promotes the fight against racism.”

On social media, Navarro posted a message reaffirming his pride in his roots and declared his intention to pursue the matter to the fullest extent. “I will never be ashamed of my roots. I will go to the very end to denounce the xenophobic act I experienced today in Brazil,” he wrote.

CONMEBOL has yet to make an official statement regarding the incident, although the organization is expected to investigate it, as it has taken a firm stance against discriminatory acts in continental tournaments.

Meanwhile, Talleres must wait for the group’s final outcome to see if they continue in the Sudamericana. The defeat in Brazil adds to a string of poor results, including their recent elimination from the Copa Argentina.