- All seven first-leg matches played ended level, an unprecedented mark in the history of the competition, and every tie remains wide open heading into the deciders.
- The week also features the first leg between Deportes Tolima and Independiente del Valle, rescheduled after the earthquake that struck Colombia.
The 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores is set for a week of absolute deciders. The first legs of the Round of 16 left an unprecedented mark: all seven matches played ended in draws, a first in the history of the competition that guarantees every tie will be settled in the final 90 minutes. With no consolidated leads, home advantage is worth gold. And with one rule always in play: if the aggregate score remains level, qualification will be decided from the penalty spot.
The calendar will also feature a special chapter: the tie between Deportes Tolima and Independiente del Valle, postponed after the earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, will play its first leg on Tuesday in Ibagué and the second leg on Tuesday the 25th in Quito.
Independiente Rivadavia vs. Fluminense
'La Lepra Mendocina' host Fluminense with the tie still scoreless after the 0-0 at the Maracanã, a result that reaffirmed a trend: the Mendoza side remain unbeaten against the 'Tricolor' in 2026, after the historic 2-1 win in Rio in April and the 1-1 draw in the Group Stage in Mendoza.
In the first leg, Fluminense owned the ball but couldn't find a way to hurt their opponents: territorial dominance never translated into clear chances and Ezequiel Bolcato enjoyed a night without major scares. The clearest opportunity belonged to the visitors from Mendoza: a Matías Fernández free kick that traveled across the box and crashed off the crossbar early in the second half, with Ezequiel Bonifacio also a threat on quick breaks.
Fluminense in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Alfredo Berti's team arrive at this decider with the credentials of a dream campaign: they won Group C ahead of Fluminense themselves and closed the first phase as one of the tournament's best group winners, in their first-ever international appearance. The second leg at the Malvinas Argentinas is the chance to crown that story with a place in the quarterfinals.
Across the field, a Fluminense side that will no longer have Luis Zubeldía on the bench, but that still banks on its pedigree: the signing of Hulk and the return of Thiago Silva head a squad that knows what it takes to fight at this stage, though the present demands answers. The 'Flu' arrive needing to win away from home to avoid depending on penalties.
Tie level at 0-0: any win means qualification and another draw will send the decider to penalties. The winner will face the victor of Coquimbo Unido-Platense in the quarterfinals.
Independiente Rivadavia in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Match details:
Stadium: Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Date and time: Tuesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Referee: Andrés Rojas (COL)
VAR: Leonard Mosquera (COL)
Match facts:
- Independiente Rivadavia remain unbeaten in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 (P7, W5 D2). The only Argentine team to go unbeaten through their first eight matches in the competition was River, in 1966 (P9, W8 D1).
- This will be the first time Fluminense play the second leg of a knockout tie in Argentina in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The 'Tricolor' avoided defeat in seven of their last nine visits to Argentine opponents in the competition (W4 D3 L2).
- Eight players have featured in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 aged 40 or older. Three of them started for Fluminense in the first leg against Independiente Rivadavia: Fábio (45y 315d), Thiago Silva (41y 323d) and Hulk (40y 17d).
- Álex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia) is the top scorer of the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 with eight goals. The striker has 18 goals in 24 career matches in CONMEBOL competitions. He will face Fluminense for the sixth time, the opponent he has played most often, with three goals in the five previous meetings.
- Martinelli is the player with the most appearances for Fluminense in CONMEBOL Libertadores history (35). In the first leg against Independiente Rivadavia, he recorded the most touches of the ball in a single match of his career in the competition (117).
Universidad Católica vs. Estudiantes
Universidad Católica and Estudiantes will settle in Santiago a tie that remained open after the 1-1 in La Plata, where the 'Pincha' struck early and the 'Cruzados' rescued a draw as the game was dying.
Joaquín Tobio Burgos opened the scoring three minutes into the first half, pouncing on a rebound to score Estudiantes' second-fastest goal in the competition since at least 2013. The La Plata side dominated with conviction and wasted clear chances to extend their lead in the second half, until the law of the goalscorer took over: Fernando Zampedri, with a shot deflected off Santiago Núñez, equalized late and stretched his tally to 19 goals in CONMEBOL competitions in a UC shirt.
Universidad Católica in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
For the 'Cruzados', who already pulled off a major result in this edition with that historic night at La Bombonera, the return leg at Claro Arena represents a chance to reach the last eight in South America by making the most of their home strength, although they will have to face the decider without Fernando Zampedri, who is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Estudiantes, for their part, travel with the feeling of having deserved more from the first leg and with the momentum of their early goal as an argument: if the La Plata side repeat the dominant version of the first half, they have what it takes to strike in Santiago. The cup pedigree of the 'Pincha', four-time champions of South America, is a credential no level tie can ignore.
Tie level at 1-1: any win means qualification and another draw will send the decider to penalties.
Estudiantes in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Match details:
Stadium: Claro Arena, Santiago
Date and time: Tuesday, August 18 at 8:30 p.m. (Chile time)
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (COL)
VAR: David Rodríguez (COL)
Match facts:
- Universidad Católica won two of the three home knockout matches they have played against Argentine opponents in the CONMEBOL Libertadores (L1): against Colón in the 2010 preliminary stage (3-2) and against River in the 1995 round of 16 (2-1). However, their only defeat came precisely against Estudiantes (1-3 in the 1969 semifinal).
- Estudiantes remain unbeaten against Universidad Católica in the CONMEBOL Libertadores (P3, W2 D1). The teams the 'Pincha' have faced most often in the competition without losing are Cusco (P4, W2 D2) and Cerro Porteño (P4, W1 D3).
- Estudiantes have taken points in four of their last five away matches in CONMEBOL Libertadores knockout stages (W2 D2 L1), including a win in Chile against Everton in Phase 3 of 2022 (1-0).
- Of Fernando Zampedri's (Universidad Católica) 18 career goals in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, eight have come from the 70th minute onward, including the equalizer against Estudiantes in the last round. Since 2017, when he debuted in the competition, only Rony (10 goals) has scored more late goals.
- Estudiantes conceded just 0.09 expected goals to Universidad Católica in the first leg, the second-lowest figure allowed by the 'Pincha' in a CONMEBOL Libertadores match since records began (2013).
Deportes Tolima vs. Independiente del Valle
First leg (rescheduled)
The only tie yet to begin will play its first leg on Tuesday in Ibagué: the matchup between Deportes Tolima and Independiente del Valle was rescheduled after the earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, and the second leg will be played on Tuesday the 25th in Quito, at the Estadio Banco Guayaquil.
'El Pijao' reach the Round of 16 after a long road: they eliminated Deportivo Táchira and O'Higgins in the preliminary phases and advanced as Group B runners-up with 8 points, edging Nacional of Uruguay on head-to-head record. Sebastián Oliveros, 38, took charge in June with a possession-based, attack-minded proposal, underpinned by the safe hands of goalkeeper Neto Volpi — clean sheets in six of his ten appearances — and the movement of Luis Sandoval up front.
Deportes Tolima in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Independiente del Valle, by contrast, arrive with the billing of silent contenders: they won Group H with 13 points and an attacking output of 11 goals, with captain Junior Sornoza as their standard-bearer, Carlos González as their marksman — six goals, including a hat-trick against Libertad — and Jordy Alcívar as the balance of a midfield that never suffers despite player sales.
Joaquín Papa's team also carry a historic motivation: two-time CONMEBOL Sudamericana champions (2019 and 2022) and Libertadores finalists in 2016, 'El Rayo' are chasing the only major continental title they lack. For Tolima, meanwhile, the challenge is to make history: reaching South America's top eight by making the Murillo Toro count before the decider at altitude in Quito.
Tie yet to begin: the aggregate winner will advance to the quarterfinals; if the teams are level after both matches, penalties will decide.
Independiente del Valle in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Match details:
Stadium: Manuel Murillo Toro, Ibagué
Date and time: Tuesday, August 18 at 7:30 p.m. (Colombia time) — *Rescheduled match (first leg)
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (BRA)
VAR: Daniel Nobre (BRA)
Match facts:
- Tolima are the third Colombian team to come through the preliminary stages and reach the round of 16 of a CONMEBOL Libertadores edition, after Junior in 2005 and Santa Fe in 2006. Neither of the previous two managed to advance to the quarterfinals.
- Tolima (third place with 62%) and Independiente del Valle (fifth place with 59%) rank among the five teams with the highest average possession in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores Group Stage.
- Independiente del Valle's 131 shots in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 are the most by any team in a group stage of the competition since records began (2013).
- Tolima and Independiente del Valle have met twice in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, with 'Los Pijaos' drawing away (2-2) and winning at home (1-0) in the 2022 group stage. Only one team has played more than two matches against 'El Negriazul' in the competition without ever losing (Palmeiras, W4 in P4).
- Independiente del Valle have four wins in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026. Only once have 'El Negriazul' reached five or more victories in a single edition of the competition: eight wins in 2016, the year they finished runners-up.
Coquimbo Unido vs. Platense
The history-making debutants and the champions of great feats arrive level for the decider in northern Chile, after a 1-1 in Buenos Aires that had it all: an 'El Calamar' lead, a saved penalty and a last-gasp equalizer.
Platense had gone ahead through a Luciano Giménez header in the 35th minute of the first half and seemed to be steering the first leg, until the man of the night appeared: goalkeeper Diego Sánchez saved a Mainero penalty — and the rebound too, with a point-blank stop — to keep Coquimbo Unido alive. The reward came in stoppage time, when Guido Vadalá bundled in the dramatic equalizer.
Coquimbo Unido in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
The Argentine forward is the emblem of Coquimbo Unido's campaign: with three goals, he drew level with Pedro González as the club's all-time leading scorer in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, a statistic that reflects both the team's current form and the unprecedented nature of a side that is playing in the competition for only the second time and has reached the Round of 16 for the first time.
Platense, meanwhile, arrive backed by their habit of rising to the occasion in knockout football: 'El Calamar' have already fed their legend by reaching this Round of 16 and travel to Coquimbo with the confidence of having been the dominant side in the first leg. The pending debt is the finishing: the Argentine team need to repeat the output and, this time, hold the result.
Tie level at 1-1: any win means qualification and another draw will send the decider to penalties. The winner will face the victor of Independiente Rivadavia-Fluminense in the quarterfinals.
Platense in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Match details:
Stadium: Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso, Coquimbo
Date and time: Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 p.m. (Chile time)
Referee: Roberto Pérez (PER)
VAR: Michael Espinoza (PER)
Match facts:
- Argentine teams won all three matches played in Chile as visitors against Coquimbo Unido in CONMEBOL competitions: Newell's in the 1992 Libertadores (2-1), San Lorenzo in the 1992 Libertadores (1-0) and Racing in the 2024 Sudamericana (2-1). In addition, Defensa y Justicia drew as the away side against 'El Pirata' in a match played in Paraguay (0-0).
- Platense won two of their three away matches in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 (L1). Only three teams have recorded three or more away wins in their debut season in the competition in the 21st century: Independiente Rivadavia in 2026 (3), Paysandu in 2003 (3) and Monarcas Morelia in 2002 (3).
- Coquimbo Unido won their last two home matches in the CONMEBOL Libertadores and will look to string together three home wins for the first time in CONMEBOL competitions. Their previous run of two straight victories came against Aragua and Estudiantes de Mérida in the 2020 Sudamericana.
- With his assist in the first leg, Cristián Zavala (Coquimbo Unido) became one of only eight players to provide an assist in each of the last three editions of the CONMEBOL Libertadores (2026, 2025 and 2024). He is also the only Chilean to do so.
- Platense had a 96% win probability against Coquimbo Unido at the moment they were awarded a penalty in the 79th minute of the first leg. However, goalkeeper Diego Sánchez saved Guido Mainero's attempt and Guido Vadalá later sealed the draw for Coquimbo Unido.
Cerro Porteño vs. Palmeiras
Cerro Porteño host Palmeiras with the tie level at 1-1 and a statistic that fuels the azulgrana dream: in two visits to Brazil to face the 'Verdão' in this edition, the Paraguayan side have taken four points, including the Group Stage win and the dramatic first-leg draw.
That night in São Paulo followed a shifting script: Palmeiras, even down to ten men after Andreas Pereira was sent off in the 28th minute of the second half, struck first through José Manuel López. But Cerro Porteño never gave up and found their reward in stoppage time, when a dangerous cross from the right — which Pablo Vegetti tried but failed to make contact with — went past Carlos Miguel and ended up in the net for the equaliser.
Cerro Porteño in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
If the draw traveled to Asunción it was, in large part, thanks to Manuel Roffo: the goalkeeper was the star of the first leg with decisive stops against Vitor Roque and Allan, living up to a campaign in which Ariel Holan's team have gone toe-to-toe with any opponent.
For Palmeiras, three-time champions of South America and perennial contenders, the visit to La Nueva Olla is a test of character: settling away from home a tie that slipped away in stoppage time, in a stadium that promises a scorching atmosphere, against an opponent that has already beaten them in their own house this year.
Tie level at 1-1: any win means qualification and another draw will send the decider to penalties. The winner will meet the victor of Liga de Quito-Mirassol in the quarterfinals.
Palmeiras in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Match details:
Stadium: Ueno La Nueva Olla, Asunción
Date and time: Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Referee: Facundo Tello (ARG)
VAR: Héctor Paletta (ARG)
Match facts:
- Palmeiras are the team that has hit the woodwork most often in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 (7). Six of those came from José López and Jhon Arias, including one by the Colombian in the first leg against Cerro Porteño.
- Cerro Porteño advanced on each of the last six occasions in which they avoided defeat in an away first leg in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, a run that began in 2019. The last time they failed to go through was in the 2014 round of 16 against Cruzeiro: 1-1 away, 0-2 at home.
- Cerro Porteño will look to become the first team to face Palmeiras four times in a single edition of the CONMEBOL Libertadores without losing (W1 D2). On the four previous occasions (Grêmio 1995, Corinthians 1999, Sport Recife 2009 and Boca 2018), the 'Alviverde' won at least one match.
- Palmeiras are unbeaten as visitors in Paraguay in CONMEBOL Libertadores knockout matches: two wins and two draws in four games. Both wins came against Cerro Porteño in the round of 16 (2018 and 2022), while the draws were against Tacuary (2005 preliminary stage) and Libertad (2020 quarterfinals).
- Gustavo Velázquez (Cerro Porteño) is among the four players with the most clearances in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 since the start of the group stage, with 54 (three fewer than leader Gustavo Henrique, of Corinthians). The 'Albirroja' center-back made 32 clearances in total across the three meetings with Palmeiras in this edition.
Flamengo vs. Cruzeiro
The defending champions decide at home. Flamengo and Cruzeiro arrive at the Maracanã level at 1-1 after a vibrant first leg in Belo Horizonte, and with a phrase that now sounds like prophecy: "The decision will come at the Maracanã," Leonardo Jardim — a former 'Raposa' coach — had anticipated before the tie.
At the Mineirão, Cruzeiro struck through a Keny Arroyo golazo, a left-footed strike from the corner of the box that flew into Agustín Rossi's top corner. The four-time champions' response came from the bench: Lucas Paquetá needed just 82 seconds on the field to equalize, after a free kick that included a Léo Ortiz header off the post. The champions once again showed their most fearsome weapon: a bench full of pedigree that changes matches.
Flamengo in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
The 'Mengão' also arrive backed by their campaign: the best Group Stage in the tournament (16 points out of 18, with 14 goals scored and 2 conceded) and a squad of two full teams that their coach manages with cold precision. The second leg at home, with their fans, is the stage Jardim asked for.
Cruzeiro, managed by Artur Jorge, travel to Rio with arguments of their own: the 'Raposa' were brave in the first leg, struck first and showed with Arroyo's emergence that they have what it takes to unsettle the champions. The challenge is enormous — eliminating Flamengo at the Maracanã — but the 1-1 keeps everything open.
Tie level at 1-1: any win means qualification and another draw will send the decider to penalties.
Cruzeiro in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Match details:
Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
Date and time: Wednesday, August 19 at 9:30 p.m.
Referee: Gustavo Tejera (URU)
VAR: Andrés Cunha (URU)
Match facts:
- Gerson (Cruzeiro) was fouled five times in the first leg against Flamengo, taking his total to 22 in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026. He is the most-fouled player in the competition this season.
- Flamengo completed 200 matches in the CONMEBOL Libertadores in the last round against Cruzeiro, with 114 wins, 42 draws and 44 defeats. That is the most wins by any team across their first 200 matches in the competition, surpassing Palmeiras (111), and the fewest defeats (River, 47).
- Flamengo won seven of their eight home matches against Brazilian opponents in the CONMEBOL Libertadores in the 21st century. The only defeat came precisely against Cruzeiro, in the 2018 round of 16 (0-2).
- Cruzeiro are on a seven-match unbeaten run as visitors in the CONMEBOL Libertadores (W4 D3), their longest away streak without defeat in the competition. The 'Raposa' have conceded just one goal in that run.
- Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo) has scored in three of his last four matches in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026, including two goals off the bench in the last two rounds. They are the only goals of his career in 12 matches in the competition, across the 2018 and 2026 editions.
Liga de Quito vs. Mirassol
Liga de Quito host debutants Mirassol with the tie level at 1-1 and a symbolic conquest in their pocket: in the first leg, the Ecuadorian side became the first visiting team to score against the Paulista club at their stadium in this Libertadores, breaking a defensive record that had remained intact through all three home wins in the Group Stage.
In Brazil, Mirassol struck early through Eduardo, who pounced on a loose ball in the 15th minute of the first half. But Liga responded with insistence and found the equalizer in the 37th minute of the second half: Yerlin Quiñónez surged down the left and his cross ended in Michael Estrada's goal.
Liga de Quito in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
The first-leg numbers back the Albos' belief: Liga created six clear chances to their opponents' two, with possession split in exact halves. Now, Ecuador's 'Rey de Copas' add to their favor the factor that made them a continental force: the altitude of Quito and a stadium that knows all about epic nights.
Mirassol, the tournament's absolute revelation, face the most demanding away trip of their short international history: the debutants who allowed themselves the luxury of a flawless home Group Stage must now prove their script also works at altitude in Quito.
Tie level at 1-1: any win means qualification and another draw will send the decider to penalties. The winner will face the victor of Cerro Porteño-Palmeiras in the quarterfinals.
Mirassol in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Match details:
Stadium: Rodrigo Paz Delgado, Quito
Date and time: Thursday, August 20 at 5:00 p.m. (Ecuador time)
Referee: Yael Falcón (ARG)
VAR: Jorge Baliño (ARG)
Match facts:
- On all four occasions in which Liga de Quito avoided defeat in an away first leg in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, the result was a 1-1 draw, including the tie against Mirassol. On the three previous occasions, the 'Albos' advanced to the next stage (vs Tacuary in the 2007 preliminary stage, vs San Lorenzo in the 2008 quarterfinals, vs América in the 2008 semifinals).
- Liga de Quito are on a seven-match home winning streak in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, their longest run of home victories in the competition, matching the streak between 2004 and 2005 (7).
- Mirassol are looking to become the first Brazilian team to reach the CONMEBOL Libertadores quarterfinals in their debut appearance since Criciúma in 1992. Back then, the 'Tigre' beat Sporting Cristal in both round-of-16 matches (2-1 away, 3-2 at home).
- Janner Corozo (Liga de Quito) has been directly involved in 10 goals in his career in CONMEBOL competitions, with six goals and four assists. He has provided three assists in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026, including two against Mirassol.
- Mirassol fielded 11 Brazilians in their starting lineup against Liga de Quito in the first leg, becoming the first Brazilian team without foreign players in their starting XI in the CONMEBOL Libertadores knockout stages since Athletico Paranaense in the 2022 final.
Corinthians vs. Rosario Central
The tie of the impenetrable defenses will be settled in São Paulo. Corinthians and Rosario Central drew goalless at the Gigante de Arroyito, in a first leg where 'El Canalla' dominated and the 'Timão' resisted with craft, even finishing with ten men after Allan's sending-off for a second yellow card in the 35th minute of the second half.
The numbers from the match in Rosario were eloquent: 57% home possession, 16 shots and 12 corners, with a second half of siege (10 shots to 1). But the clearest chance was Brazilian: a Matheus Bidu header that grazed the goal before the break. The solidity of Fernando Diniz's team preserved the clean sheet and moved the decider to their home.
Corinthians in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Corinthians head into the second leg backed by a solid campaign and with the Neo Química Arena as their fortress, in a tie steeped in history: this reunion arrived 26 years after their continental clashes of the late nineties.
Rosario Central, with Ángel Di María as the emblem of this campaign, travel to São Paulo with the frustration of not having turned their dominance into a lead and the certainty that the team can compete on equal terms. For 'El Canalla', the task is to repeat the Arroyito performance with efficiency: the tie is intact and one goal away.
Tie level at 0-0: any win means qualification and another draw will send the decider to penalties.
Rosario Central in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026: results, squad and schedule
Match details:
Stadium: Neo Química Arena, São Paulo
Date and time: Thursday, August 20 at 9:30 p.m.
Referee: Alexis Herrera (VEN)
VAR: Nicolás Gallo (COL)
Match facts:
- Corinthians progressed in eight of the nine ties in which they avoided defeat in an away first leg in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The only exception was the 2016 round of 16, when they drew 0-0 away and 2-2 at home against Nacional, going out on away goals.
- Argentine teams have taken points in nine of their 12 visits to Corinthians in the CONMEBOL Libertadores (W5 D4 L3), but one of the 'Timão''s wins came in their only previous meeting with Rosario Central (3-2 in the 2000 round of 16).
- Rosario Central won two of their three away matches in the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 (L1). 'El Canalla''s record for away wins in a single edition of the competition is three, in 2016 — precisely when they claimed their only away win over a Brazilian team: 1-0 vs Grêmio in the round of 16.
- Corinthians' two center-backs led the last round of the CONMEBOL Libertadores in clearances: 15 by Gabriel Paulista and 13 by Gustavo Henrique. Rosario Central delivered 42 crosses in the first leg (17 by Di María, 15 by Campaz), the second-highest figure by 'El Canalla' in a match in the competition since records began (2013), behind only the 44 against Caracas in 2024.
- Five of Corinthians' last six home goals in the CONMEBOL Libertadores came from set pieces (three from corners, two from indirect free kicks). Center-back Gustavo Henrique scored two goals and provided two assists on those plays.
