- The road to the CONMEBOL Sudamericana title is now mapped out, with the Grand Final set to be played at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla on November 21.
- With the Round of 16 Playoffs completed — featuring the runners-up from each La Gran Conquista group against the third-place finishers from each CONMEBOL Libertadores group — attention now turns to the Round of 16.
The 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 Playoffs delivered comebacks, emphatic victories and dramatic finishes. Tigre and Santos put themselves firmly in control with commanding away wins before confirming their places among the final 16, while Vasco da Gama and Red Bull Bragantino came through closely contested ties against Independiente Medellín and Sporting Cristal. The standout comeback of the round belonged to Cienciano: the Peruvian side overturned a 2-0 first-leg defeat with a stunning 4-0 victory in Cusco to eliminate Lanús, the reigning champions of La Gran Conquista.
Bolívar also produced a memorable performance by defeating Grêmio in both legs, including a historic victory in Porto Alegre, while Independiente Santa Fe were the most dominant team of the round, beating Caracas twice and completing the tie with a 5-0 aggregate score. The final place went to Boca Juniors, who lost 1-0 to O’Higgins in Rancagua but prevailed 4-3 in the penalty shootout. Tigre, Santos, Vasco da Gama, Cienciano, Red Bull Bragantino, Bolívar, Independiente Santa Fe and Boca Juniors therefore completed the Round of 16 lineup.
With all 16 teams still in contention for ‘La Gran Conquista’ now confirmed, the road to the title is clear, and CONMEBOL has announced the schedule for the Round of 16 matches.
Round of 16 Matchups
All kick-off times are local.
Boca Juniors vs. Recoleta
The Argentine side, champions in 2004 and 2005, were made to work hard against O’Higgins to reach the Round of 16. Boca won the first leg 1-0 at home before losing by the same scoreline in Chile.
The ‘Xeneize’ ultimately decided their fate in the penalty shootout, where Montero — one of the club’s recent signings — saved Pavez’s attempt to help Boca prevail 4-3 from the spot. The Argentine side will now face Recoleta, the Paraguayan representatives who pulled off a major upset away to San Lorenzo on the final matchday of the Group Stage to reach the Round of 16 in their first-ever continental campaign.
First leg: Tuesday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m. at ‘La Bombonera’, Buenos Aires
Second leg: Tuesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Estadio ueno Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
Bolívar vs. São Paulo
Bolívar produced two excellent performances in their Playoff tie against Grêmio and celebrated an impressive qualification away from home. They won the first leg 3-2 in Bolivia before completing the job in Porto Alegre with a memorable 1-0 victory.
The Bolivian side will now come up against São Paulo, one of the competition’s heavyweight names, who reached the knockout stage unbeaten.
First leg: Tuesday, August 11 at 8:30 p.m. at Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz
Second leg: Tuesday, August 18 at 9:30 p.m. at Estadio Morumbis, São Paulo
Independiente Santa Fe vs. River Plate
Independiente Santa Fe showcased all of their attacking quality in their tie against Caracas FC. In the first leg in Bogotá, ‘El Rojo’ claimed a 2-0 victory through goals from Rodallega and Fagúndez. In the return leg in Venezuela, the Colombian side won 3-0 using the same formula: defensive solidity and ruthless efficiency in the final third to make the most of their attacking opportunities.
A demanding challenge awaits the Colombian side in the Round of 16: River Plate, champions of the 2014 edition, will be the next opponents for Pablo Repetto’s team.
First leg: Wednesday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Estadio Nemesio Camacho ‘El Campín’, Bogotá
Second leg: Wednesday, August 19 at 9:30 p.m. at Estadio ‘Más Monumental’, Buenos Aires
Vasco da Gama vs. Olimpia
Vasco da Gama proved to be the hurdle that the Colombian side coached by club icon Luis Amaranto Perea could not overcome. The Brazilian team earned an important 2-2 draw away from home in the first leg before confirming their qualification with a 1-0 victory at home. Vasco da Gama had finished second in their group behind a dominant Olimpia.
And it will be precisely the ‘Gumarelo’, fresh from an outstanding Group Stage, who await Vasco. Pablo Sánchez’s side will look to extend their strong run at Estadio Defensores del Chaco.
First leg: Thursday, August 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Estadio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro
Second leg: Thursday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Estadio ueno Defensores del Chaco, Asunción
RB Bragantino vs. Atlético Mineiro
Bragantino missed out on direct qualification for the Round of 16 after finishing runners-up to River in the opening stage. The Brazilian side, however, proved their strength in the Playoffs against Sporting Cristal. A 0-0 draw in Lima gave ‘Massa Bruta’ the opportunity to decide the tie at home, and they made no mistake: a 1-0 victory secured their place in the next round.
The next stage will feature another all-Brazilian matchup, with Bragantino set to face Eduardo Domínguez’s Atlético Mineiro.
First leg: Wednesday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Estadio Municipal Cícero de Souza Marques, Bragança Paulista
Second leg: Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Arena MRV, Belo Horizonte
Santos vs. Macará
The ‘Peixe’, who secured their place in the Playoffs dramatically on the final matchday, produced a strong and convincing performance to reach the Round of 16 after defeating Universidad Central de Venezuela 8-3 on aggregate. Cuca’s side displayed both attacking firepower and the ability to respond after falling behind early in the second leg, and will now face surprise package Macará in the next round. The Ecuadorian representatives pulled off the upset in their group and will host the second leg of the Round of 16 in front of their supporters at Estadio Bellavista.
First leg: Thursday, August 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Estadio Urbano Caldeira, Santos
Second leg: Thursday, August 20 at 5:00 p.m. at Estadio Bellavista, Ambato
Tigre vs. Montevideo City Torque
Tigre were made to suffer more than expected before securing their place in the Round of 16. They beat Nacional 3-0 away from home in the first leg of the Playoffs, but found themselves 2-0 down in the return in Victoria before Santiago López’s late goal sealed a 4-2 aggregate victory for ‘El Matador’.
In the next round they will face Montevideo City Torque, whose promising attack helped them finish top of their group.
First leg: Wednesday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Estadio José Dellagiovanna, Victoria
Second leg: Wednesday, August 19 at 9:30 p.m. at Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
Cienciano vs. Botafogo
One of the most attractive Playoff ties brought together two former champions of the competition: Lanús, two-time CONMEBOL Sudamericana winners, and Cienciano, champions in 2003 after a memorable final against River Plate. Lanús won the first leg 2-0 in Argentina, but the Peruvian side produced an epic comeback in Cusco, overturning the deficit with an unforgettable 4-0 victory in front of their supporters to ignite a new continental dream.
Botafogo, who showcased all of their quality by finishing the Group Stage unbeaten and as the competition’s highest-scoring side with 15 goals, will be Cienciano’s next opponent.
First leg: Thursday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Cusco
Second leg: Thursday, August 20 at 9:30 p.m. at Estadio Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro
On the Road to ‘La Gran Conquista’
The teams will compete for a place in the Final, set to be played on November 21 at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla. There, they will battle for the trophy lifted by Lanús in 2025, a prize that has become a major objective for clubs across the continent.
Beyond adding another title to their trophy cabinet, the champions will also receive USD 10 million in prize money, while the runners-up will earn USD 2.5 million. The figures represent a historic increase for the competition, as announced by CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez, continuing a trend that has significantly boosted the tournament’s financial rewards in recent years: over the last decade, prize money distribution has increased by 439%.
