- The Chilean side qualified for the CONMEBOL Libertadores Round of 16 after displaying quality and clinical finishing away from home.
- Daniel Garnero’s team will face Estudiantes de La Plata for a place in the Quarter-finals of the continent’s most prestigious club competition.
‘Los Cruzados’ made a strong start to their journey in pursuit of the Gloria Eterna. Sharing a group with two former CONMEBOL Libertadores champions in Boca Juniors and Cruzeiro did not prevent Universidad Católica from producing an outstanding opening stage, recording three consecutive clean sheets and winning all of their away matches.
Garnero found a versatile, solid and effective system, and his reward was a deserved place in the knockout stage of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, where his side will face another former continental champion in ‘El Pincha’. After three years away from the competition, the Chilean club returned with the ambition of fulfilling a long-standing objective: lifting the continent’s most coveted trophy.
Fernando Zampedri and Clemente Montes emerged as the main attacking threats for a team capable of combining hard work, courage and organisation to make the most of its individual talent.
“We are very excited. This is a squad with a great level of commitment and some excellent individual performances, and that helps you achieve the results you are looking for. The knockout rounds are difficult, but we were drawn into a group that prepared us very well for what lies ahead,” Garnero said after the victory over Boca, which provided the perfect conclusion to Universidad Católica’s group-stage campaign.
Universidad Católica in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Results and Schedule
Group D
Matchday 1: Universidad Católica 1-2 Boca Juniors
Goals: Juan Ignacio Díaz (83') / Leandro Paredes (16') and Adam Bareiro (65')
Matchday 2: Cruzeiro 1-2 Universidad Católica
Goals: Matheus Pereira (60', penalty) / Justo Giani (30') and Jimmy Martínez (90+4')
Matchday 3: Barcelona SC 1-2 Universidad Católica
Goals: Milton Céliz (79') / Fernando Zampedri (17') and Clemente Montes (22')
Matchday 4: Universidad Católica 0-0 Cruzeiro
Matchday 5: Universidad Católica 2-0 Barcelona SC
Goals: Fernando Zampedri (77' and 84')
Matchday 6: Boca Juniors 0-1 Universidad Católica
Goal: Clemente Montes (34')
Round of 16
First Leg: Estudiantes de La Plata vs. Universidad Católica
Second Leg: Universidad Católica vs. Estudiantes de La Plata
Universidad Católica Head Coach in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Daniel Garnero
The Argentine’s connection with ‘La U’ stretches back more than 30 years. In 1996, he joined the club as a player, taking the No. 10 shirt and replacing his compatriot and club legend Néstor Gorosito. Nearly three decades later, their paths crossed once again, this time with Garnero returning to write a new chapter as head coach.
Garnero took charge of Universidad Católica’s first team midway through 2025. He guided the club to a second-place finish in the Chilean league and secured qualification for the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
On the international stage, the coach has implemented a collective identity that reflects his trademark approach: an attacking style designed to exploit the flanks, based on possession, but also capable of defending with discipline and competing physically whenever the context demands it.
Universidad Católica Squad for the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores
Goalkeepers: 1. Vicente Bernedo - 12. Francisco Valdés - 24. Martín Contreras - 27. Darío Melo - 50. Matías Meza.
Defenders: 2. Daniel González - 3. Eugenio Mena - 4. Ignacio Pérez - 6. Sebastián Arancibia - 15. Cristian Cuevas - 17. Gary Medel - 19. Erwin Ampuero - 26. Juan Díaz - 28. Bernardo Cerezo - 34. Francisco Daza - 39. Nicolás Lhuillier - 42. Nickolas Pino - 44. José Salas - 49. Raimundo Vega.
Midfielders: 5. Carlos Farías - 8. Fernando Zuqui - 10. Matías Palavecino - 13. Alfred Canales - 14. Jimmy Martínez - 20. Jhojan Valencia - 22. Martín Gómez - 36. Bryan González - 46. Vicente Carcamo - 47. Vasco León - 48. Vicente Olivares - 52. Lucas Barraza.
Forwards: 7. Justo Giani - 9. Fernando Zampedri - 11. Clemente Montes - 18. Juan Rossel - 25. Diego Corral - 30. Diego Valencia - 37. Joaquín Meneses - 38. Nicolás Girón - 43. Amaro Pérez - 51. Matías Moreno.
Universidad Católica’s Key Player in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Clemente Montes
The winger grew in confidence within Garnero’s system and became an increasingly decisive figure with every match. Through goals, assists and an ever more productive partnership with Zampedri, the 25-year-old brings speed and dynamism to ‘Los Cruzados’ attack.
Beyond his direct running and willingness to take on defenders, it was his influence on the team’s collective play that made him stand out during the group stage. He started all six matches, provided two assists and scored twice. His second — and most important — goal came away to Boca Juniors, sealing the 1-0 victory that secured top spot in Group D for Universidad Católica.
Universidad Católica’s Top Scorer in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Fernando Zampedri
The Argentine striker is Universidad Católica’s captain and leading figure. ‘El Toro’ joined ‘Los Cruzados’ in January 2020 and has since become not only the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, but also one of the pillars of the team.
Across six CONMEBOL Libertadores campaigns, Zampedri has scored 17 goals in 39 appearances. This is also his fourth edition of the continent’s most prestigious club competition with Universidad Católica. His three goals were crucial in laying the foundations for the team’s outstanding group-stage campaign.
Barcelona SC were his main victims: he scored once in the 2-1 victory in Ecuador before adding a brace in the 2-0 home win.
“In 2026, we are going to fight for the title in every competition,” Zampedri said at the end of 2025. “This club is so big that it demands nothing less.”
Universidad Católica’s X-Factor in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores: Fernando Zuqui
The Argentine sets the tempo in Universidad Católica’s midfield. He provides energy, defensive intensity and versatility in a central unit defined by its dynamism and quick transitions.
The midfielder started all six group-stage matches and provided an assist in the heroic 2-1 victory over Cruzeiro in Belo Horizonte, a result that paved the way for qualification to the Round of 16.
In the next round, Zuqui will come up against Estudiantes de La Plata, the club where he made nearly 200 appearances and established himself as a key figure before joining Universidad Católica.
Universidad Católica’s History in the CONMEBOL Libertadores
The Chilean side have competed in the Gloria Eterna on 29 occasions, with their best campaign coming in 1993, when they reached the final before losing 5-3 on aggregate to São Paulo.
Garnero’s team, currently among the leading sides in Chile’s Liga de Primera, begin every CONMEBOL Libertadores campaign with a clear objective and one major achievement still missing from their international record.
Their encouraging performances during the first half of the year have given Universidad Católica reason to dream — and solid grounds to believe that this could be their moment.
