- CONMEBOL has announced the Team of the Week from the second legs of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 Playoffs.
- Cienciano, Bolívar, Santos and Vasco da Gama had the strongest representation, with two players each.
The CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16 Playoffs came to an end with a week packed with excitement. Comebacks, memorable individual performances, dramatic finishes and a penalty shootout highlighted the return legs, which determined the final eight teams to qualify for the next stage of La Gran Conquista.
Through their influence on the game, goals, assists and decisive interventions, eleven players stood out above the rest and earned a place in the Team of the Week following an unforgettable round of matches.
Carlos Lampe (Bolívar)
He produced a memorable performance in Bolívar’s 1-0 victory over Grêmio in Porto Alegre. The goalkeeper made ten saves as the Brazilian side registered 31 attempts, keeping a clean sheet with superb stops to deny Matheus Nascimento, José Enamorado, Martin Braithwaite and Gabriel Mec. His composure proved decisive as the ‘Academia’ completed a 4-2 aggregate victory and advanced to the Round of 16.
Lautaro Blanco (Boca Juniors)
He once again provided width, energy and attacking threat down the left flank as Boca secured a hard-fought qualification against O’Higgins. His most important contribution came in the penalty shootout, when he took responsibility for the final spot kick and converted to seal the 4-3 victory that sent the ‘Xeneize’ into the last 16.
Pedro Henrique (Red Bull Bragantino)
He scored the goal that broke the deadlock in one of the most evenly contested ties of the Playoffs. After 148 goalless minutes between Red Bull Bragantino and Sporting Cristal, he appeared inside the box to finish off a rehearsed move and make it 1-0. He also played an important defensive role as the ‘Massa Bruta’ completed both legs without conceding.
Paulo Henrique (Vasco da Gama)
He was one of Vasco da Gama’s main attacking outlets from right-back. He created four shooting opportunities and, in the 85th minute, drove forward before delivering the cross that Thiago Mendes converted into the goal that secured qualification. His assist prevented the tie from going to penalties and sealed the 1-0 victory over Independiente Medellín.
Thiago Mendes (Vasco da Gama)
With the tie seemingly headed for a penalty shootout, Thiago Mendes emerged at exactly the right moment. The midfielder met Paulo Henrique’s cross to score the only goal of the night at São Januário. It was his first goal in a CONMEBOL club competition in more than nine years and one of the most important of his career, as Vasco progressed with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Alejandro Hohberg (Cienciano)
He was one of the standout performers in Cienciano’s historic comeback against Lanús. The experienced attacking midfielder scored twice and provided an assist in the emphatic 4-0 victory. He first levelled the aggregate score with a left-footed strike from outside the box before completing his brace to round off an unforgettable night in Cusco.
Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)
He came on at half-time and transformed the match against Universidad Central. After driving to the byline, he cut the ball back for Gabriel Barbosa to put Santos ahead, before delivering the cross that Rony converted to make it 4-2 late on. With two assists in just 45 minutes, he was one of the key figures in the ‘Peixe’s’ comeback.
Miguel Terceros (Santos)
He led Santos’ response after Universidad Central’s early goal. The Bolivian drove forward from the right, entered the penalty area and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike to equalise before half-time. It was his first goal in a CONMEBOL club competition and helped the Brazilian side regain control of the match.
Dairon Asprilla (Bolívar)
He once again proved decisive for Bolívar. In the 15th minute, he collected a pass from inside his own half, beat Walter Kannemann with a skilful move and finished at the near post to score the winner against Grêmio. It was his second goal of the tie and the fourth consecutive match in which he had found the net across all competitions.
Carlos Garcés (Cienciano)
He spearheaded Cienciano’s unforgettable comeback with two goals and an assist. The striker opened the scoring by getting ahead of his marker to meet a cross from the right and later struck again to complete his brace. He also led the counterattack and set up Hohberg for the fourth goal, capping a decisive performance against the reigning champions.
Franco Fagúndez (Independiente Santa Fe)
He once again made the most of his introduction from the bench. The Uruguayan received the ball from Alexis Zapata, cut onto his stronger foot and finished with precision to complete the 3-0 victory over Caracas. He scored in both legs of the tie and drew level with Hugo Rodallega as Santa Fe’s leading scorer in CONMEBOL competitions in 2026, with three goals.
