- Barcelona reached the CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage after eliminating Argentinos Juniors and Flamengo.
- They will be placed in Pot 4 for the March 19 draw.
The outlook was uncertain. The preliminary draw had laid out a daunting path for Barcelona Sporting Club: Argentinos Juniors—champions of the 1985 CONMEBOL Libertadores and one of Argentina’s most in-form sides throughout 2025—stood as the first hurdle, followed by a potential showdown against the winner of Nacional Potosí vs. Botafogo, the 2024 kings of South America, for a place in the 2026 group stage.
Barcelona rose to the challenge with an epic start, securing their ticket to the March 19 draw—an event that will captivate the football world. On the back of their recent performances, including two qualification-clinching results away from home and a commanding victory in the Clásico del Astillero against Emelec, the ‘Ídolo’ now enters the draw from Pot 4 with strong credentials.
The journey seemed set to unravel far too early after a first-leg defeat to Argentinos Juniors at the Estadio Monumental, sealed in one of the final moments of the match. The setback was significant: Francisco Álvarez’s red card 20 minutes into the second half had tilted the balance in favor of the hosts, yet Diego Porcel struck with a precise angled finish to ensure Barcelona returned to Buenos Aires still in contention.
Optimism filled the night at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona, but César Farías and his ‘Toreros’ had other plans. They disrupted the attacking rhythm orchestrated by Hernán López Muñoz and Alan Lescano, remaining patient as they waited for their moment to level the tie.
That moment arrived in the 21st minute of the second half, when Jhonny Quiñónez unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box that nestled into the left corner, drawing Barcelona level and forcing a penalty shootout. The drama continued from the spot, but with goalkeeper José Contreras emerging as the hero and Milton Céliz converting the decisive kick, Barcelona left Argentina with their place in Phase 3 secured.
The script unfolded in similar fashion against Botafogo, who had advanced past Nacional Potosí in the previous round. The first leg in Ecuador also ended with a favorable result for the visitors: Héctor Villalba had given Barcelona the lead in the 23rd minute, but Fogão responded in the second half through Matheus Martins.
Carrying the momentum of their Buenos Aires heroics and a derby win over Emelec, the ‘Ídolo’ traveled to Rio de Janeiro brimming with confidence—and once again executed their winning formula. Milton Céliz struck after just eight minutes, their defensive structure stifled the opposition to the point of frustration, and José Contreras donned the hero’s mantle with a series of crucial saves.
Barcelona booked their place in the group stage driven by belief and two unforgettable performances that showcased both their footballing quality and mental strength. César Farías’ side demonstrated resilience to overcome adversity, personality to impose themselves in demanding venues such as La Paternal and Rio de Janeiro, composure under pressure, and standout individual displays that now fuel their continental ambitions.
Venezuelan goalkeeper José Contreras has established himself as a reliable presence between the posts. His remarkable save to tip a powerful free-kick from Alex Telles out of the top-left corner is already etched into the club’s memory, but it also highlighted his overall solidity, with full command of his area and dominance in the air. Milton Céliz, a new signing for 2026, has quickly become the engine of a midfield that fuels the team’s collective cohesion. The only concern came with the early substitution of Ecuadorian playmaker Joao Rojas, who was forced off in the 34th minute of the first half due to a knee issue.
As they await updates on one of their key players, Barcelona are enjoying a positive moment—but their ambitions in the CONMEBOL Libertadores are not driven by present form alone. Since 2019, the club has become a constant presence in the competition, never missing an edition. Runners-up in 1990 against Olimpia and in 1998 against Vasco da Gama, they also reached the semi-finals in 2021, defeating champions of the caliber of Vélez and Fluminense along the way. After three consecutive group-stage exits, the March 19 draw will define their immediate path as they aim to return to the knockout rounds.
