- The first legs of the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana Quarter-finals produced a series of decisive performances: meet the players named in the Team of the Week.
- Cienciano provide four players, Boca Juniors and Santos have three representatives each, while Independiente Santa Fe complete the XI.
Home advantage shaped the opening round of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Quarter-finals. Boca Juniors, Santos and Cienciano secured first-leg advantages in their respective ties, while Independiente Santa Fe and Vasco da Gama played out a goalless draw in Bogotá. No away side managed to score during the week.
The Team of the Week, presented by EA SPORTS FC, brings together 11 of the standout performers from this first battle for a place in the Semi-finals. Goals, assists and saves combine in a formation featuring three defenders, four midfielders and three forwards.
Weimar Asprilla (Independiente Santa Fe)
He once again delivered on a decisive night for the ‘Cardenal’. He dealt with a Claudio Spinelli header in the first half and came out on top in a one-on-one with the Argentine forward after the break. His assured performance was crucial in keeping a clean sheet against Vasco da Gama and sending the tie to Rio de Janeiro level.
Willian Arão (Santos)
The midfielder, converted into a centre-back, opened the scoring in the victory over Atlético Mineiro. In the 31st minute, he met Gabriel Barbosa’s headed assist and finished left-footed to make it 1-0. It was his second goal of the campaign, following his strike against Macará in the Round of 16.
Maximiliano Amondarain (Cienciano)
He made an unexpected contribution from the back to extend Cienciano’s advantage over Montevideo City Torque. Shortly before half-time, he advanced into opposition territory and struck a low effort from distance that crept inside Franco Torgnascioli’s left-hand post. His goal completed the 2-0 scoreline that the ‘Papá’ will take to Montevideo.
Facundo Herrera (Boca Juniors)
He features in the Team of the Week back line as one of Boca’s three representatives. The ‘Xeneize’ kept a clean sheet against São Paulo and earned a narrow advantage to take into the second leg at the MorumBIS.
Neri Bandiera (Cienciano)
He was instrumental in breaking the deadlock in Cusco. Bandiera drove forward down the left and delivered a cross to the far post for Cristian Souza to score the opener. He also went close to scoring himself in the second half, heading an effort following a delivery from Marcos Martinich.
Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors)
His influence helped change the course of the match at ‘La Bombonera’. After São Paulo had made the stronger start, he took control of midfield and helped Boca gain a foothold in the contest. The captain’s command of the game was one of the keys to the 1-0 victory.
Christian Oliva (Santos)
He supported the attack and arrived in the right place to score Santos’ second goal. In the 68th minute, he met a pinpoint Gabriel Barbosa cross and finished low from inside the penalty area to extend the ‘Peixe’s’ advantage over Atlético Mineiro.
Santiago Arias (Cienciano)
He completes the midfield as one of four Cienciano players selected. His inclusion in the XI reflects the Cusco side’s prominent role in a round in which they defeated Montevideo City Torque 2-0 and took the first step towards the Semi-finals.
Cristian Souza (Cienciano)
The competition’s leading assist provider, with five, turned scorer on this occasion. He attacked the far post and converted Bandiera’s cross to open the scoring in the 28th minute. It was his first goal in CONMEBOL competitions, coming in his 15th appearance.
Miguel Merentiel (Boca Juniors)
He scored the only goal of the night against São Paulo. Merentiel met a low cross from Lautaro Blanco and, after Rafael denied his initial effort, reacted quickest to the rebound to give the ‘Xeneize’ victory. His persistence inside the penalty area proved decisive in the opening match of the tie.
Gabriel Barbosa (Santos)
He traded goals for assists and played a decisive role in both of Santos’ strikes. First, he headed the ball down for Willian Arão before setting up Christian Oliva with an outside-of-the-foot cross. With five goals and four assists, he leads the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana for direct goal involvements.
