- Boca Juniors, Santos and Cienciano won the opening matches of their respective CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026 Quarter-final ties.
- Independiente Santa Fe and Vasco da Gama drew 0-0 in Bogotá: no away side managed to score during the week.
Home advantage set the tone at the start of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026 Quarter-finals. Boca Juniors edged São Paulo by a single goal, while Santos and Cienciano both secured two-goal leads against Atlético Mineiro and Montevideo City Torque, respectively.
Independiente Santa Fe and Vasco da Gama produced the only draw of the week, taking a completely open tie to Rio de Janeiro. All four series will be decided between Tuesday, 15 September, and Thursday, 17 September, as the road to ‘La Gran Conquista’ continues.
Boca Juniors 1-0 São Paulo
São Paulo made the better start at ‘La Bombonera’ and created the first chances through Jonathan Calleri and Artur, but Boca began to take control from the 15th minute onwards. Leandro Paredes dictated play in midfield, Alan Velasco grew in influence and Lautaro Blanco found space to push forward down the left.
The breakthrough came seven minutes into the second half. A flowing team move ended with Blanco advancing down the flank and delivering a low cross for Miguel Merentiel. Rafael saved the initial effort, but the Uruguayan striker reacted quickest to the rebound and scored the only goal of the night. Boca managed their advantage and will travel to the MorumBIS knowing a win or a draw will send them through. São Paulo, who suffered their first defeat of this edition, will be without Calleri due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Independiente Santa Fe 0-0 Vasco da Gama
Independiente Santa Fe and Vasco da Gama played out an evenly matched contest at ‘El Campín’. Iván Scarpeta headed the ball into the net for the Colombian side in the first half, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Vasco also created chances and tested Weimar Asprilla, who saved a header before denying Claudio Spinelli in a one-on-one.
Santa Fe came close to breaking the deadlock after the interval when Franco Fagúndez struck the crossbar with a left-footed effort. Léo Jardim then stepped up late on, producing a double save from Fagúndez and Hugo Rodallega to preserve his clean sheet. The tie will be decided next Tuesday at São Januário, where any victory will send the winner into the last four.
Santos 2-0 Atlético Mineiro
Santos secured a valuable advantage at Vila Belmiro in an entertaining match featuring chances at both ends. Willian Arão opened the scoring in the 31st minute of the first half after a cross from Gustavo Henrique and a headed assist from Gabriel Barbosa. The goal was initially ruled out, but a VAR review confirmed that ‘Gabigol’ had been onside.
Atlético Mineiro enjoyed more possession and created opportunities but could not find a way past Gabriel Brazão. Santos grew stronger after the break and doubled their lead in the 68th minute, when Gabriel Barbosa delivered a precise outside-of-the-foot cross and Christian Oliva finished from inside the box. With Neymar sidelined by a muscle injury, ‘Gabigol’ took centre stage with two assists. The ‘Peixe’ will defend their advantage next week in Belo Horizonte.
Cienciano 2-0 Montevideo City Torque
Cienciano imposed themselves from the outset at Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and created several chances before making the breakthrough. Carlos Garcés and Alejandro Hohberg tested Franco Torgnascioli, while Gary Kagelmacher had to clear the Ecuadorian striker’s effort off the line.
The opener arrived in the 28th minute, when Neri Bandiera burst down the left and crossed to the far post for Cristian Souza to finish. Shortly before half-time, Maximiliano Amondarain stepped forward from defence and surprised the visitors with a low long-range strike to double the lead. City Torque responded after the break, but the Peruvian side kept a clean sheet and came close to adding a third late on. Cienciano will travel to the Estadio Centenario with a two-goal advantage: the Uruguayan team must win by two to force a penalty shootout or by three to advance outright.
