- The ties remain open and will be decided in the return legs, which will determine the final teams to qualify for the Round of 16.
- The play-off winners will face the teams that finished top of their respective groups in the next round.
The CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 play-off first legs have been completed, with goals, drama and finely poised ties ahead of the return fixtures. The teams sought to take the first step towards the next round, where the group winners are already waiting, producing a slate of important victories, tight draws and contests that promise maximum tension in the second legs.
Nacional 0-3 Tigre
El Matador opened the tie with a stunning away victory at the Gran Parque Central. Jalíl Elías scored the fastest goal in the club’s history in CONMEBOL competitions to begin an unforgettable night for Diego Dabove’s side, who extended their lead through a superb Ignacio Russo strike.
With David Romero unavailable, the son of the late coach Miguel Ángel Russo was the standout performer on a night capped by another spectacular finish from Elías Cabrera.
El Bolso will have to overturn the deficit away from home to continue their international campaign. The prize for the winners will be a place in the Round of 16, where Montevideo City Torque await.
U.C.V. FC 1-4 Santos
El Peixe made a flying start to their CONMEBOL Sudamericana knockout-stage campaign. U.C.V. FC had been one of the surprise packages of the CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage, but they were unable to cope with the strength of the Brazilian side, who secured an emphatic away victory despite several notable absences.
Gabriel Bontempo was the standout performer and opened the scoring in the 35th minute, before Cuca’s side added further goals through Gabriel Menino, Thaciano and Rony. Maicol Ruiz pulled one back late on to complete the scoring in a tie that will be decided next Tuesday at Vila Belmiro. Macará await in the Round of 16.
Independiente Medellín 2-2 Vasco da Gama
Luis Amaranto Perea’s international debut as a coach produced one of the most thrilling matches of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 play-offs. In Colombia, Independiente Medellín opened the scoring when young John Montaño struck four minutes into first-half stoppage time. Their lead did not last long, however, as Joaquín Varela scored an own goal just one minute into the second half.
Montaño then demonstrated his eye for goal once again, firing a right-footed shot that took a deflection on its way in to make it 2-1. DIM appeared on course for victory, but Claudio Spinelli struck after another excellent contribution from Cuiabano to seal a 2-2 draw in the 86th minute.
The teams will meet again on Wednesday 29 July, when the second leg will determine who advances to face Paraguay’s Olimpia in the Round of 16.
Sporting Cristal 0-0 Bragantino
In a closely contested match with few clear-cut chances, the goalkeepers took centre stage. Cleiton denied Hernán Barcos before half-time, while Diego Enríquez responded well to Isidro Pitta and a series of long-range efforts from the Brazilian side, who also came close to snatching victory late on when Matheus Fernandes struck the post.
Barcos, the competition’s all-time leading scorer, had the clearest opportunity for the Peruvian side and once again showed his enduring quality at the age of 42. Fernando was sent off for the visitors in the 90th minute.
With the scores level, the tie will be decided in Brazil on Wednesday 29 July. Atlético Mineiro await the winners in the Round of 16.
Lanús 2-0 Cienciano
After their CONMEBOL Libertadores campaign, the reigning CONMEBOL Sudamericana champions began their title defence. Franco Watson opened the scoring in the first half after being set up by Lucas Besozzi, who was sent off 17 minutes into the second half.
El Granate held firm with 10 men and extended their lead in stoppage time through Ramiro Carrera. The winners of the tie will face Botafogo in the Round of 16.
Bolívar 3-2 Gremio
A thrilling encounter at the Hernando Siles was packed with drama and memorable moments, particularly during a frantic opening half-hour. Martín Cauteruccio put the Bolivian side ahead inside the first minute, but Matías Villasanti equalised for the visitors. Robson Matheus restored the hosts’ lead before Tetê made it 2-2 ahead of the interval.
Dairon Asprilla scored the winner for Alejandro Restrepo’s side in the second half. Bolívar had several opportunities to extend their advantage, but Weverton kept Grêmio in the tie and ensured it remained open ahead of the return leg.
Grêmio and Bolívar will decide their fate on Thursday 30 July at the Arena do Grêmio in Porto Alegre. The winners will face São Paulo in the Round of 16.
Boca Juniors 1-0 O'Higgins
El Xeneize began their CONMEBOL Sudamericana campaign with an important victory as they continued to build under new head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena. It was a special night at La Bombonera, marked by Leandro Paredes’ return following his World Cup campaign with Argentina.
The Boca Juniors No5 produced a brilliant pass to set up Miguel Merentiel, who scored the only goal of the match. Despite the defeat, O’Higgins showed their quality with a strong performance and will look to overturn the deficit in Rancagua next Thursday against a Boca side that handed debuts to goalkeeper Álvaro Montero and forward Sebastián Villa. Recoleta await the winners in the Round of 16.
Independiente Santa Fe 2-0 Caracas
Independiente Santa Fe defeated Caracas 2-0 at El Campín to take a healthy advantage in the first leg of their CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 play-off. The evergreen Hugo Rodallega opened the scoring after 30 minutes with a left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area, before Franco Fagúndez added the second late on, just 19 seconds after coming off the bench. The Colombian side controlled the match against opponents who created little danger and will look to seal qualification in Venezuela on Thursday 30 July. The winners of the tie will face River Plate in the Round of 16.
