- The Sangolquí side topped Group H with 13 points, with Carlos González finishing as the leading scorer of the group stage, and will face Deportes Tolima in the Round of 16.
- Two-time CONMEBOL Sudamericana champions, ‘Los Matagigantes’ are pursuing the only major continental trophy still missing from their collection.
Independiente del Valle entered the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores carrying their familiar reputation as the continent’s most admired talent-development club and converted it into results. They won Group H with 13 points, level with Rosario Central, whom they edged out on the head-to-head record: a 0-0 draw at the Gigante de Arroyito followed by a 1-0 victory in Quito, secured by Junior Sornoza’s penalty on the final matchday.
Their campaign was built on strong home form and attacking efficiency. They scored 11 goals, led by the outstanding Carlos González, who struck six times — including a hat-trick against Libertad in Asunción — and by the leadership of Sornoza, whose eventful group stage came full circle. Sent off in the opening match, he issued a public apology and responded on the pitch by scoring decisive goals.
Their domestic momentum has been equally impressive. Joaquín Papa’s side are leading Ecuador’s LigaPro with authority and added the Ecuadorian Super Cup to their trophy cabinet in May.
In the Round of 16, ‘Los Matagigantes’ will face Deportes Tolima, the last Colombian representative remaining in the competition, with the first leg in Ibagué and the tie to be decided in Ecuador.
Underlying their entire project is one enduring source of motivation: winners of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana in 2019 and 2022 and the CONMEBOL Recopa in 2023, Independiente del Valle have never lifted the Gloria Eterna. Their closest attempt came when they reached the final in 2016. Ten years later, they are ready to challenge once again.
Independiente del Valle in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Results and Schedule
Group H
Matchday 1: Rosario Central 0-0 Independiente del Valle
Matchday 2: Independiente del Valle 3-1 Universidad Central
Goals: Jordy Alcívar (44') and Carlos González (45+5' and 63') / Bolívar (21')
Matchday 3: Libertad 2-3 Independiente del Valle
Goals: Lorenzo Melgarejo (37' and 85', penalty) / Carlos González (33', 51' and 65')
Matchday 4: Universidad Central 2-0 Independiente del Valle
Goals: Jan Zapata (54') and Juan Cuesta (67')
Matchday 5: Independiente del Valle 4-1 Libertad
Goals: Junior Sornoza (38'), Carlos González (43'), Justin Lerma (64') and Djorkaeff Reasco (90+5') / Lorenzo Melgarejo (45+3')
Matchday 6: Independiente del Valle 1-0 Rosario Central
Goal: Junior Sornoza (64', penalty)
Round of 16
First Leg: Deportes Tolima vs. Independiente del Valle
Tuesday, August 11, at 7:30 p.m. local time
Manuel Murillo Toro Stadium, Ibagué
Second Leg: Independiente del Valle vs. Deportes Tolima
Tuesday, August 18, in Ecuador
Independiente del Valle Head Coach in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Joaquín Papa
The 39-year-old Uruguayan is the new face of a project whose direction remains unchanged. He arrived in Sangolquí at the end of December 2025 after winning Uruguay’s Apertura title with Liverpool of Montevideo, having previously worked within Nacional’s structure and served as an assistant at Real Valladolid.
His profile — young, methodical and committed to a proactive style — fits perfectly with the type of coach the club has selected for more than a decade.
His opening statement after taking charge offered a concise summary of the institution’s identity: “This is a club that takes the initiative, plays on the front foot and always looks to impose itself.”
Six months later, the results support his words: first place in their Libertadores group, a commanding lead in the LigaPro and the Ecuadorian Super Cup already added to the trophy cabinet.
Full Independiente del Valle Squad for the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores
*The final squad list will be confirmed on Saturday, August 8.
Independiente del Valle’s Key Player in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Junior Sornoza
The captain is the heart and soul of the team, and his 2026 Libertadores campaign has been a story of redemption in miniature. Sent off in the opening match against Rosario Central, he took responsibility with a public apology — “I accept my mistake,” he said — before returning to decide the group. He scored the opening goal in the emphatic victory over Libertad and converted the penalty against Central on the final matchday that secured top spot in Group H.
By now, his connection with the club’s greatest moments is complete. The midfielder has won eight trophies with Independiente del Valle, including the Ecuadorian Super Cup secured in May.
The team’s “Commander” both on and off the pitch, Sornoza is the link between their CONMEBOL Sudamericana triumphs and the still-unfulfilled dream of lifting the Gloria Eterna.
Independiente del Valle’s Top Scorer in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Carlos González
The striker has been the driving force behind Independiente del Valle’s attack, scoring six of the team’s 11 goals in the group stage. His finest performance came at La Huerta in Asunción, where he scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 comeback victory over Libertad. He also netted twice against Universidad Central in Quito and added another goal in the 4-1 win on the penultimate matchday.
His partnership with Sornoza and Alcívar turned ‘Los Matagigantes’ into one of the most productive attacking sides of the group stage. In the Round of 16 against Tolima, the Sangolquí club will once again rely on his goalscoring instinct: when González is in form, Independiente del Valle score freely.
Independiente del Valle’s X-Factor in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Jordy Alcívar
The midfielder provides balance to Papa’s side and contributes from box to box. He opened the scoring in the 3-1 victory over Universidad Central with the team’s first goal of the campaign in Quito and, alongside Jhegson Méndez, anchors the midfield engine room that allows Sornoza to operate further forward.
His presence also embodies the defining strength of Independiente del Valle’s project. At a club renowned for exporting young talents — the latest being Justin Lerma, who joined Borussia Dortmund after scoring in this very Libertadores campaign — those who remain ensure that standards never drop and the system continues to function seamlessly.
Against Tolima, control of the midfield could ultimately decide the tie.
Independiente del Valle’s History in the CONMEBOL Libertadores
Independiente del Valle are the continent’s foremost talent-development phenomenon: two-time CONMEBOL Sudamericana champions, in 2019 and 2022, winners of the 2023 CONMEBOL Recopa and the club that produced stars such as Moisés Caicedo, Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapié.
In the Gloria Eterna, however, the greatest prize is still missing from their trophy cabinet. Their runners-up finish in 2016 — during a remarkable campaign in which they eliminated both Boca Juniors and River Plate — remains their best performance.
In 2026, they once again topped their group and head into the Round of 16 against Deportes Tolima driven by the ambition shared by an entire generation in Sangolquí: to turn unfinished business into the greatest title of all.
