- CONMEBOL selected the 11 standout players from the CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026 Round of 16 matches.
- Vasco da Gama, who secured an emphatic qualification in Paraguay, had the strongest representation with three players selected.
The CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 delivered a week filled with goals, comebacks and ties decided in the closing stages. Seven teams secured their places among the final eight, while River Plate and Independiente Santa Fe left the last remaining tie finely poised after a goalless draw in Bogotá. The individual performances that shaped those matches make up the latest Best XI.
Everson (Atlético Mineiro)
Atlético Mineiro had to hold firm until the final whistle to eliminate Red Bull Bragantino. The visitors took the lead twice and managed to level the aggregate score, but Everson kept El Galo in the tie before Tomás Cuello’s dramatic late goal ultimately decided it.
Sabino (São Paulo)
He provided defensive solidity and also made his presence felt at the opposite end. With Bolívar threatening to extend the uncertainty at the MorumBIS, the defender attacked the near post from a corner and headed home the decisive goal in a 3-1 victory.
José Luis Rodríguez (Vasco da Gama)
El Puma contributed intensity and attacking depth to Vasco’s commanding performance in Asunción. The Brazilian side recovered from conceding the opening goal against Olimpia, took control of the match and completed an emphatic victory to advance to the Quarter-finals.
Emanuel Olivera (Independiente Santa Fe)
He was one of the pillars of the Colombian side in their draw against River Plate. Santa Fe restricted the Argentine team to just three shots, kept a clean sheet and will travel to the Mâs Monumental with the tie still completely open.
Adson (Vasco da Gama)
The forward’s movement proved crucial in helping Vasco find space within Olimpia’s defence. After being constantly involved in the team’s attacking play, he scored the third goal to put El Gigante da Colina firmly on course for qualification.
Thiago Mendes (Vasco da Gama)
He took control when his team were behind. After combining with David, he broke into the box and finished with composure to score the equaliser. His goal transformed the match and sparked the Brazilian side’s comeback.
Santiago Ascacíbar (Boca Juniors)
He set Boca on their way to a commanding victory over Recoleta with a well-timed run from midfield. The captain scored in both legs of the tie and once again embodied the balance between ball-winning, tireless running and attacking presence within the Argentine side.
Tomás Cuello (Atlético Mineiro)
He was the defining figure in the all-Brazilian tie. After scoring the only goal of the first leg, he won possession high up the pitch in second-half stoppage time of the return fixture, drove into the box and scored the equaliser that prevented a penalty shootout and sent Atlético Mineiro through.
Luciano (São Paulo)
He opened the scoring against Bolívar by reacting quickest inside the box and later came close to adding another when his effort struck the post. His contribution proved decisive as São Paulo imposed themselves and secured a highly anticipated Quarter-final meeting with Boca Juniors.
Miguel Merentiel (Boca Juniors)
The Uruguayan striker delivered once again inside the penalty area. He scored Boca’s third goal in Paraguay and helped complete a dominant tie that ended with a 7-1 aggregate victory.
Salomón Rodríguez (Montevideo City Torque)
He produced one of the week’s most influential performances. He scored twice against Tigre —the second from the penalty spot— and led Montevideo City Torque into the first international Quarter-finals in the club’s history. With five goals, he is also the Uruguayan side’s leading scorer in this year’s competition.
