Bolivian side Blooming kicked off their CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores campaign with a win in the First Phase, edging El Nacional 3-2 at the Estadio Ramón Aguilera Costas. The home team’s goals came from Samuel Garzón, Moisés Villarroel, and Martín Alaníz, while Jawer Guisamano and Ángel Ledesma found the net for the Ecuadorian side.

Bolivian dominance in the first half

From the start, Blooming took control in front of their home fans, setting the tempo of the game. In a span of just five minutes, they grabbed the lead with Garzón scoring in the 16th minute, followed by a well-placed header from Villarroel in the 21st.

However, El Nacional responded quickly, closing the gap in the 27th minute when Guisamano showed great control and fired a precise shot to make it 2-1. But Blooming struck back almost immediately, and in the 37th minute, Martín Alaníz extended the lead with a powerful strike from outside the box.

In the second half, the Ecuadorian side kept pushing forward and managed to pull one back in the 87th minute when Ángel Ledesma made it 3-2, keeping their hopes alive for the return leg at home.

Everything to play for in the second leg

With a narrow lead, Blooming will travel to Ecuador aiming to secure their spot in the Second Phase of the Copa Libertadores. Meanwhile, El Nacional will look to complete a comeback on home soil as they continue their fight for Eternal Glory.