- All seven ties that kicked off during the week ended level: five 1-1 draws and two goalless draws.
- Deportes Tolima and Independiente del Valle will play their first match on Tuesday, August 18, following the rescheduling of the tie.
Parity defined the opening week of the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores Round of 16. None of the 14 teams that took the field managed to gain an advantage, leaving every tie wide open ahead of the return legs. There were dramatic late goals, decisive goalkeeping performances, important contributions from the bench and visiting teams that stood firm in demanding environments. Here is how each match unfolded.
Fluminense 0-0 Independiente Rivadavia
Fluminense controlled possession for much of the night at the Maracanã but were unable to break down Independiente Rivadavia’s defensive block. The Mendoza side limited the spaces around Franco Bolcato’s goal and even created the clearest opportunities of the match: Matías Fernández struck the post with a free-kick, while Ezequiel Bonifacio was denied by Fábio when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
The draw extended ‘Lepra’s’ unbeaten run in their first continental campaign: they now have five wins and two draws, while they are also unbeaten in their three meetings with Fluminense in 2026. The tie will be decided on Tuesday, August 18, at 19:00 at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.
Estudiantes 1-1 Universidad Católica
Estudiantes needed just three minutes to take the lead in La Plata. Joaquín Tobio Burgos pounced on a rebound inside the penalty area and scored on his first start in this year’s competition. ‘El Pincha’ had opportunities to extend their advantage, but Universidad Católica stayed in the contest and eventually found an equaliser through Fernando Zampedri, whose effort took a deflection off Santiago Núñez before finding the net.
The draw left the Chilean side with plenty of encouragement, although they will be without Zampedri for the return leg after the booking he received in La Plata. The second leg will be played on Tuesday, August 18, at 20:30 at the Claro Arena in Santiago, with the winner advancing to face either Rosario Central or Corinthians in the Quarter-finals.
Platense 1-1 Coquimbo Unido
Platense came very close to celebrating victory in the first Round of 16 match in their history. Luciano Giménez opened the scoring with a powerful header and, late in the match, Guido Mainero had the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot. Diego Sánchez saved the penalty and then reacted quickly to keep out Nicolás López’s follow-up, producing a superb double save that kept Coquimbo Unido alive.
The Chilean side took full advantage of that lifeline and made it 1-1 in stoppage time through Guido Vadalá, who made a decisive impact after coming off the bench. The tie will continue on Wednesday, August 19, at 18:00 at the Estadio Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso, where both teams will be looking to reach the competition’s Quarter-finals for the first time.
Palmeiras 1-1 Cerro Porteño
Palmeiras created the better chances at Allianz Parque but came up against an outstanding performance from Manuel Roffo. The goalkeeper kept Cerro Porteño in the match during the hosts’ strongest spells, and Andreas Pereira’s sending-off appeared to hand the visitors an advantage. Abel Ferreira’s side, however, struck while down to ten men: José Manuel López arrived at the far post to make it 1-0 in the 81st minute.
Cerro Porteño kept pushing until the final ball and were rewarded in the fourth minute of stoppage time, when a dangerous delivery from the right slipped underneath Carlos Miguel. The 1-1 draw extended ‘El Ciclón’s’ unbeaten record against Palmeiras in this year’s competition and shifted the deciding match to La Nueva Olla in Asunción on Wednesday, August 19, at 19:00.
Cruzeiro 1-1 Flamengo
Cruzeiro opened the scoring at the Mineirão through a brilliant individual effort from Keny Arroyo, who worked his way into space on the left side of the penalty area before curling a left-footed strike into the top corner. Flamengo had created the most dangerous chance of the first half when Bruno Henrique hit the post, but the defending champions ultimately turned to their bench for an answer: Lucas Paquetá came on and, just 82 seconds later, reacted to the rebound from a Léo Ortiz header to score the equaliser.
The defending champions finished the match with more attempts and will now have the opportunity to decide the tie at home, although Cruzeiro showed they are capable of causing problems even without controlling the game. The return leg will be played on Wednesday, August 19, at 21:30 at the Maracanã, with another draw sending the tie to a penalty shootout.
Mirassol 1-1 Liga de Quito
Eduardo put Mirassol ahead after 15 minutes and the Brazilian side appeared to be heading towards another home victory at the Estádio José Maria de Campos Maia, where they had won all three of their Group Stage matches without conceding. Liga de Quito, however, created several opportunities and were finally rewarded for their persistence in the 82nd minute, when Michael Estrada appeared inside the penalty area to make it 1-1.
The Ecuadorian striker brought an end to Mirassol’s perfect defensive home record and left the tie level ahead of the return to altitude. The teams will meet again on Thursday, August 20, at 17:00 at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, where Liga recorded a 2-0 victory during the Group Stage.
Rosario Central 0-0 Corinthians
Rosario Central took the initiative at the Gigante de Arroyito and gradually pushed Corinthians deeper into their own half. ‘El Canalla’ finished the match with more possession, 16 attempts and all 12 corners on the night, but were unable to break through the Brazilian side’s disciplined defensive structure. Allan’s sending-off with ten minutes remaining increased the pressure on Fernando Diniz’s team, who held firm with Hugo Souza providing security in goal.
Corinthians therefore rediscovered the defensive solidity that had marked the beginning of their continental campaign, while Rosario Central maintained their perfect defensive home record in this year’s competition. The tie will be decided on Thursday, August 20, at 21:30 at the Neo Química Arena in São Paulo, where any draw will send the contest to penalties.
Deportes Tolima vs. Independiente del Valle: match rescheduled
The match that was due to open the tie in Ibagué was postponed following the earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10. As a result, Deportes Tolima and Independiente del Valle were the only teams unable to begin their Round of 16 campaign during the opening week of action.
The first leg will be played on Tuesday, August 18, at 19:30 at the Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro. The return leg has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, at the same time at the Estadio Banco Guayaquil in Quito. The winner will face either Flamengo or Cruzeiro in the Quarter-finals.
