- CONMEBOL selected the 11 standout players from the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 Round of 16 matches.
- Flamengo, who eliminated Cruzeiro to continue their title defence, had the strongest representation with three players selected.
Seven teams secured their places in the Quarter-finals, with only one tie still to be decided. Fluminense, Estudiantes, Platense, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Liga de Quito and Corinthians advanced during a week defined by penalty shootouts, decisive goals and outstanding individual performances.
The players who made the greatest impact earned their places in the latest Team of the Week. Flamengo contributed three representatives and Estudiantes two, while Liga de Quito, Corinthians, Palmeiras, Platense, Fluminense and Independiente del Valle completed the XI.
Gonzalo Valle (Liga de Quito)
He once again proved to be the Ecuadorian side’s last line of defence against Mirassol. After making a crucial save to deny Daniel Borges in stoppage time, he kept out Victor Luis’ opening attempt in the penalty shootout. His performance helped Liga return to the Quarter-finals for the second consecutive edition.
Matheuzinho (Corinthians)
He played an important role in a qualification that demanded resilience. Following Raniele’s dismissal, Corinthians had to play much of the second half with ten men. The full-back reinforced the right flank and helped the São Paulo side keep a clean sheet before finding the winning goal against Rosario Central.
Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras)
The captain stepped up once again at a decisive moment. He met Jhon Arias’ corner with a header to score the only goal against Cerro Porteño at La Nueva Olla. He also marshalled a defence that protected the advantage until the final whistle and secured a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Ignacio Vázquez (Platense)
He was one of the key figures behind the defensive solidity that allowed Platense to preserve the draw in Coquimbo. The captain organised the back line throughout a tense encounter and helped take the level tie to a penalty shootout, where the tournament debutants secured their place among the continent’s final eight.
Samu Lino (Flamengo)
He scored the goal that settled the all-Brazilian tie. After Cruzeiro’s equaliser, he attacked the space, collected Pedro’s assist and finished the one-on-one opportunity to make it 2-1. His goal kept the defending champions on course in their pursuit of La Gloria Eterna.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo)
He orchestrated his team’s attacking play at the Maracanã. After combining with Pedro, he opened the scoring with a low finish across goal. For the second, he played the incisive pass that began the move eventually completed by Samu Lino. His creativity proved decisive in breaking open a finely balanced tie.
Hércules (Fluminense)
Fluminense needed to find a way out after being reduced to ten men in Mendoza, and Hércules provided the answer. He regained control in midfield and delivered a pass from inside his own half that Kevin Serna converted to make it 1-0. The Brazilian side ultimately secured qualification through a penalty shootout.
Arón Rodríguez (Independiente del Valle)
He scored the only goal of the first leg against Deportes Tolima. The forward followed Emerson Pata’s run down the flank, moved into the box and headed home to give the Ecuadorian side an important advantage ahead of the return fixture in Quito.
Pedro (Flamengo)
He did not need to score to make the difference on this occasion. He was involved in both goals in the victory over Cruzeiro, first completing a one-touch exchange that led to De Arrascaeta’s finish and then assisting Samu Lino. It was the first time he had provided two assists in a single CONMEBOL competition match.
Guido Carrillo (Estudiantes)
He scored twice in Santiago to complete Estudiantes’ qualification. His first came from a header before he anticipated the defence inside the box to seal the 3-0 victory. Those goals took his CONMEBOL Libertadores tally for El Pincha to 14, moving him above Juan Ramón Verón and Mauro Boselli as the club’s all-time leading scorer in the competition.
Joaquín Correa (Estudiantes)
He came on during the first half following Tiago Palacios’ injury and transformed the match. He opened the scoring with a finish at the near post and was also involved in the build-up to both of Carrillo’s goals. His impact from the bench inspired the Argentine side’s emphatic victory.
