- CONMEBOL announced the Best XI from the first legs of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 Playoffs.
- Santos, Boca Juniors and Tigre contributed the most players to the team.
The CONMEBOL Sudamericana resumed after the FIFA World Cup break, bringing back the battle for one of the continent’s major titles. Sixteen teams, divided into eight ties, began competing for places in the Round of 16, with the opening legs delivering excitement, goals and decisive individual performances.
With thrilling matchdays behind them and the return legs set for next week, several players managed to make the difference and emerge as key figures for their respective teams. Through their influence on the game, goals, assists or decisive contributions, eleven players stood out above the rest and are helping drive their clubs’ hopes of reaching the next round.
Cleiton (Red Bull Bragantino)
He was Red Bull Bragantino’s last line of defense in the goalless draw against Sporting Cristal. Cleiton made six saves, including a superb reaction stop to deny Maxloren Castro’s powerful early effort and a crucial intervention against Hernán Barcos late in the first half. His assured performance helped the Brazilian side leave Lima with a clean sheet.
Gabriel Menino (Santos)
He played an active role in Santos’ 4-1 win over U.C.V. FC. His shot produced the rebound that Gabriel Bontempo converted to open the scoring and, in the second half, he chested down a deep pass from Oliva before unleashing a powerful strike to make it 2-0. He was a constant threat with his runs down the right flank.
Alan Barrionuevo (Tigre)
Solid at the back and decisive in the opposition box, Alan Barrionuevo was one of the standout performers in Tigre’s historic 3-0 victory over Nacional in Montevideo. Just two minutes in, he rose above the defense and headed Gonzalo Martínez’s delivery into the path of Jalil Elías, who scored the opener. At the other end, he also helped the Argentine side keep a clean sheet.
Lautaro Blanco (Boca)
Lautaro Blanco was one of Boca’s main outlets in their 1-0 victory over O’Higgins. He constantly pushed forward down the left flank, providing width and depth while developing a promising partnership with Sebastián Villa. His tireless work rate allowed him to contribute defensively while remaining a constant option in the team’s attacking moves.
Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)
Gabriel Bontempo was one of Santos’ main attacking forces in Venezuela. The midfielder reacted to a rebound inside the box and finished calmly and precisely into the far corner to set his side on their way to a 4-1 victory. His movement and ability to arrive in goalscoring positions made him one of the standout players of the match.
Leandro Paredes (Boca)
Just days after playing in the FIFA World Cup final with Argentina, Leandro Paredes returned to Boca and took control of the midfield against O’Higgins. He dictated the tempo and unlocked the game with an exquisite through ball using the outside of his right foot, sending Miguel Merentiel through on goal to score the only goal of the night.
Franco Watson (Lanús)
Franco Watson scored the goal that set Lanús on their way to a 2-0 victory over Cienciano. In the 35th minute, he intelligently supported a counterattack led by Lucas Besozzi and arrived at just the right moment to finish the move. His goal allowed the reigning champions to take control before playing much of the second half with ten men.
John Montaño (Independiente Medellín)
John Montaño was Independiente Medellín’s main attacking figure in the 2-2 draw against Vasco da Gama. He opened the scoring late in the first half and was decisive again in the move that made it 2-1, with a right-footed shot that took a deflection on its way in. His ability to make an impact in the final third kept the Colombian side’s hopes alive.
Ignacio Russo (Tigre)
Ignacio Russo led Tigre’s attack on an unforgettable night at the Gran Parque Central. Late in the first half, he received a pass from Martín Garay and unleashed a superb diagonal strike from the right edge of the penalty area to make it 2-0. Beyond his stunning goal, he worked tirelessly as the focal point of the attack and once again stepped up in David Romero’s absence.
Hugo Rodallega (Santa Fe)
Hugo Rodallega once again showed that his quality remains undiminished. The experienced striker received the ball on the edge of the box, shifted it onto his left foot and fired a low, angled effort into the corner to open the scoring in Santa Fe’s 2-0 victory over Caracas. His class in turning a low-percentage chance into a goal set the tone for the match.
Patricio Rodríguez (Bolívar)
Patricio Rodríguez was Bolívar’s most dangerous player in their 3-2 victory over Grêmio. Before the first minute had elapsed, he delivered a precise cross for Martín Cauteruccio to head home, and later played the incisive pass that sparked the move for the second goal. With his dribbling, creativity and ability to find space, he was the Bolivian side’s main source of attacking threat.
