Latin America Sports Daily for Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Lanus Humiliate Winless Newells 5-0 as Aquino Scores Hat-Trick

Lanus demolished bottom-of-the-table Newell’s Old Boys 5-0 at La Fortaleza in the highlight of Argentine Apertura Fecha 11 action on Tuesday. The rout deepened the crisis engulfing the Rosario club, who remain winless through 11 matches with just three points — last in Zona A and sinking in the relegation averages.

Walter Bou opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 16th minute after a handball by defender Martin Ortega. Dylan Aquino then took over: his first arrived on 37 minutes with a precise left-footed finish after a long ball from midfield, his second three minutes later following a sublime backheel assist from Ramiro Carrera, and his hat-trick goal came eight minutes into the second half. Eduardo Salvio completed the rout moments later from close range — remarkably, the fifth goal came directly from Newell’s kickoff after the fourth.

The result lifted Lanus to fourth in Zona A with 15 points, firmly in playoff contention under Mauricio Pellegrino. Newell’s, managed by Frank Kudelka since the sacking of the Orsi-Gomez duo, face an existential struggle with relegation looming.

04

Argentine Apertura Fecha 11 Wrap: Central Cordoba Edge Riestra, Estudiantes Rally in Mendoza

Football

Tuesday’s remaining Apertura fixtures completed Fecha 11 across both zones. Central Cordoba de Santiago del Estero beat Deportivo Riestra 1-0 at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades thanks to a stoppage-time first-half goal from Ezequiel Naya, who raced clear on the left and finished across the goalkeeper in the 47th minute. Riestra, who remain one of three teams without a win this season, were the better side for much of the half but paid for their profligacy when Alexander Diaz missed a gilt-edged chance moments earlier.

In Mendoza, Estudiantes de La Plata came from behind to beat Gimnasia de Mendoza 2-1, with Alexander Medina’s side showing improved resolve after back-to-back defeats. The Pincha moved to 17 points and second in Zona A behind leaders Velez (22 points). Lanus sit fourth with 15, while Newell’s prop up the group with just three points.

05

WBC All-Tournament Team: Three Venezuelans, Tatis Jr and Ohtani Headline

Baseball

Major League Baseball announced the 2026 World Baseball Classic All-Tournament Team on Tuesday night, with newly crowned champions Venezuela producing three of the 12 selections. MVP Maikel Garcia (3B), Luis Arraez (1B), and Ezequiel Tovar (SS) represented La Vinotinto on the squad. Japan’s Shohei Ohtani was the only holdover from the 2023 All-Tournament Team despite Japan’s quarterfinal elimination.

The Dominican Republic contributed catcher Austin Wells and outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr, whose tournament ended in the semifinal loss to the United States. Losing finalists USA placed four: second baseman Brice Turang, outfielder Roman Anthony, and pitchers Paul Skenes and Logan Webb. Italy‘s Cinderella run earned spots for outfielder Dante Nori and pitcher Aaron Nola. The USA pitching staff set a new WBC record for strikeouts, but their offense managed just four runs across the final two games — a damning indictment of the most decorated batting order in tournament history.

06

Brasileirao Rodada 7 Preview: Palmeiras-Botafogo and Vasco-Fluminense Headline Midweek

Preview

The Brasileirao returns on Wednesday and Thursday with a blockbuster seventh round. Leaders Sao Paulo (16 points) travel to Arena MRV to face an inconsistent Atletico-MG, looking to extend their unbeaten run and hold off second-placed Palmeiras, who host struggling Botafogo in a clash of contrasting fortunes. Palmeiras boast the division’s best attack (14 goals in six games), while Botafogo sit in the relegation zone.

The Maracana hosts a Carioca derby as Vasco face Fluminense — the former desperate to escape the bottom four, the latter pushing for a title challenge. Other notable fixtures include Flamengo hosting newly promoted Remo, Santos welcoming Internacional, and Gremio facing Vitoria. The round carries added significance as the last before the FIFA World Cup qualification window begins to influence squad planning.

07

Looking Ahead: Champions League Continues, Brasileirao R7 Begins

Preview

Wednesday brings a packed schedule. The Champions League Round of 16 second legs conclude with Barcelona vs Newcastle, Bayern Munich vs Atalanta, Liverpool vs Galatasaray, and Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid. Raphinha starts for Barcelona, while several LATAM players feature across the night’s four fixtures.

In Brazil, Rodada 7 of the Brasileirao kicks off with five matches on Wednesday: Atletico-MG vs Sao Paulo, Athletico-PR vs Cruzeiro, Bahia vs Bragantino, Palmeiras vs Botafogo, and Vasco vs Fluminense. Thursday’s action includes Flamengo vs Remo, Santos vs Internacional, Gremio vs Vitoria, Chapecoense vs Corinthians, and Coritiba vs Mirassol. In Argentina, Fecha 12 begins Friday with Banfield vs Tigre and Atletico Tucuman vs Gimnasia La Plata.