Today’s Headlines May 7, 2026
| MATCH | RESULT | KEY MOMENT |
|---|---|---|
| DIM vs Flamengo | CANCELLED | Fans flares at 2′; CONMEBOL cancels after 75 mins |
| Junior vs Cerro Porteño | 0-1 | Vegetti 13′ volley — Junior eliminated |
| Coquimbo Unido vs Universitario | 2-1 | Valera 33′, Vadalá 50′, 72′ — comeback Pirata |
| Mirassol vs LDU Quito | 2-0 | Mirassol top Group G with 9 pts |
| Peñarol vs Platense | 1-1 | Lagos, Batista — Platense 7 pts in Group E |
| NBA W2: Spurs vs Wolves G2 | 133-95 | Wemby 19/15/2; series 1-1; Wolves’ worst playoff loss |
| NBA E2: Knicks vs 76ers G2 | 108-102 | Brunson 26 — Knicks lead series 2-0 |
| NBA E2: Pistons vs Cavs G2 | 107-97 | Detroit lead series 2-0 |
| NBA W2: Thunder vs Lakers G2 | 125-107 | SGA, Holmgren 22 each; OKC 6-0; LeBron 23 |
01
CONMEBOL Cancels Medellín-Flamengo After Fan Riots in Atanasio Girardot
Libertadores
CONMEBOL cancelled the Independiente Medellín vs Flamengo Group A fixture after just 90 seconds of play at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot. According to Reuters and Infobae Colombia, Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela halted the match when ultras of the home club lit flares and threw fireworks from the north stand, creating a smoke screen that made the pitch unplayable, then attempted to break through perimeter fencing onto the field. Players from both sides retreated to the dressing rooms; after a 75-minute delay, CONMEBOL announced via its official X account that the match was cancelled and would not resume.
How it happened
- Pre-match — Most home fans wear black T-shirts in protest at the Independiente Medellín board after a 2-1 home loss to Águilas Doradas on May 3 ended their domestic playoff campaign.
- 0:20 — First flares ignited in the north stand; banners attacking the board, the squad, and CONMEBOL itself unfurled.
- ~90 seconds — Smoke renders the pitch unplayable. Valenzuela orders both teams off the field.
- ~20:12 local — Stadium PA announcer orders home fans to evacuate. CONMEBOL delegates and Flamengo squad shelter in dressing rooms.
- 21:35 local — CONMEBOL officially cancels the match: “El encuentro entre DIM y Flamengo fue cancelado.” Result will be decided by disciplinary hearing.
Key moment
The decisive escalation came when fans tore down a perimeter barrier attempting to invade the pitch. Flamengo’s director of football, José Boto, was filmed in the away dressing room calling for the three points to be awarded under CONMEBOL’s disciplinary code: “La responsabilidad no es nuestra, el equipo que jugaba en casa no ha podido garantizar la seguridad” (“It is not our responsibility — the team playing at home was unable to guarantee security”). Flamengo midfielder Jorginho posted from the locker room: “Estamos bem e aguardando por aqui” (“We’re OK and waiting here”). The Brazilian club had been one win away from clinching the Round of 16.
What’s next
CONMEBOL’s Disciplinary Tribunal will rule on the points award and on sanctions for Independiente Medellín — historically these have included heavy fines, partial or full stadium bans, and in the most extreme cases tournament expulsion. Flamengo travel home to face Grêmio in Brasileirão Round 15 on Sunday May 11. Independiente Medellín visit Cusco in Peru on Tuesday, May 19, in a fixture now likely to be played behind closed doors. Group A pre-ruling: Flamengo 7, Estudiantes 6, Medellín 4, Cusco 1 — with the DIM-Flamengo points still unallocated.
02
Coquimbo Unido 2-1 Universitario: Vadalá Brace Levels Group B at the Top
Libertadores
Argentine forward Guido Vadalá scored twice in 22 minutes to swing Group B at the Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso in Coquimbo. According to El Comercio of Lima, Universitario’s Peruvian striker Alex Valera had given the visitors a 33rd-minute lead with a header off a rebound from the post. Coquimbo Unido equalised six minutes after halftime through Vadalá at the back post, then took the lead at minute 72 with another Vadalá finish. The 2-1 win lifts Daniel Garnero’s home side to seven points in Group B — level with Deportes Tolima, who beat Nacional 3-0 a day earlier.
How it happened
- 33′ — Alex Valera (Universitario) heads in a rebound from the post after Jairo Concha’s shot rattled the woodwork. 1-0 to the visitors.
- 50′ — Vadalá (Coquimbo Unido) ghosts to the back post off a low cross and sweeps in for 1-1.
- 55′ — Yellow card for Valera (Universitario) for a foul; the third yellow for the Cremas, exposing their tactical fragility.
- 72′ — Vadalá receives in space inside the area, makes himself room with a sharp turn and finishes right-footed for 2-1.
- 80′ — Coach Jorge Araujo (Universitario) substitutes both forwards (Flores and Valera) for Alzugaray and Rivera in a final push.
Key moment
The 22-minute Vadalá brace converted what had been a Universitario tactical hold into a Chilean coronation. The Argentine, who had been quiet in the first half, exposed Caín Fara on Coquimbo’s right-side overloads in the second half. Valera missed Universitario’s best second-half chance at minute 64. With the loss, the Cremas — already mid-coaching-crisis after Javier Rabanal’s dismissal earlier this season — must now win both remaining group fixtures and hope for favourable Tolima/Nacional results to qualify directly.
What’s next
Coquimbo Unido travel to Tolima in Ibagué on Tuesday, May 19 — a fixture that could effectively decide first place in Group B. Universitario host Nacional at the Estadio Monumental in Lima on Wednesday, May 20, knowing only a win keeps them mathematically alive. The final round on Tuesday, May 26 sees Universitario host Tolima, with Nacional hosting Coquimbo at the Gran Parque Central in Montevideo.
Independiente Medellin Flamengo CONMEBOL cancelled Atanasio Girardot riots Vegetti Cerro Porteno Junior Coquimbo Unido Universitario Vadala Mirassol LDU Quito Penarol Platense Wembanyama Spurs Wolves Knicks 76ers Pistons Cavaliers Thunder Lakers Holmgren SGA
Football
03
Vegetti Sinks Junior in Cartagena; Mirassol Lead Group G; Platense Climb Group E
Libertadores
Pablo Vegetti’s 13th-minute right-footed volley gave Cerro Porteño a 1-0 win over Junior at the Estadio Jaime Morón in Cartagena, eliminating the Colombian side from Group F. According to EFE coverage, Vegetti pounced on a defensive error from Jhomier Guerrero (Junior), who attempted a short clearance that the Argentine veteran turned into a half-volley over goalkeeper Mauro Silveira. Junior’s board had reinforced the venue with marines from Cartagena’s Naval Force after pre-game security warnings; the night ended with Junior on one point, manager Alfredo Arias eliminated, and forward Luis Muriel — who came on at minute 60 — unable to provide an equaliser.
In Group G, Mirassol beat LDU Quito 2-0 at the Estádio Municipal José Maria de Campos Maia to take outright command of the group with nine points. Lanús and LDU sit on six. Always Ready, who beat Lanús 4-0 on May 5, are still alive on three. The Brazilian side, on a remarkable continental rise after their May 3 Brasileirão win over Corinthians, can clinch Round of 16 qualification with a win at home to Always Ready on Tuesday, May 19. According to Reuters, this is the first time a club from inland São Paulo state has led a Libertadores group at this stage.
Group E saw Platense draw 1-1 at home to Peñarol at the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente López. Agustín Lagos opened for Platense; Facundo Batista equalised for the Uruguayans. Platense move to seven points, three behind Group E leaders Corinthians (10). Peñarol stay last alongside Santa Fe on two. Coach Diego Aguirre’s side host Platense on May 20 needing to win to keep direct qualification alive.
04
NBA Game 2s: Spurs Crush Wolves; Knicks, Pistons, Thunder All Take 2-0 Leads
NBA
Wednesday’s Game 2s evened one Western series and stretched another. The San Antonio Spurs blew out the Minnesota Timberwolves 133-95 at the Frost Bank Center — Minnesota’s worst playoff loss in franchise history — to level the West semifinal at 1-1. Victor Wembanyama had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks; Stephon Castle added 21 and De’Aaron Fox 16. According to NBA.com, seven Spurs players reached double figures, the most in a Spurs playoff game since 1983. The Spurs out-rebounded Minnesota 55-43 and forced 22 turnovers. Coach Chris Finch (Minnesota) said: “We just got punked.” In the East, the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-102 to take a 2-0 series lead — Jalen Brunson dropped 26 points after a 35-point Game 1.
Thursday’s Game 2s went the other way for the lower seeds. The Detroit Pistons beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-97 to take a 2-0 lead — their first 2-0 playoff lead since 2008. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 125-107 with Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander each scoring 22 points. Bench guard Ajay Mitchell added 20 points and 6 assists; Jared McCain had 18 off the bench. The defending champion Thunder are 6-0 in the postseason. LeBron James (Lakers) finished with 23, Austin Reaves with 31. Luka Dončić sat out a third straight game with a strained left hamstring; reserve forward Jarred Vanderbilt was also out after a Game 1 dislocated finger. Game 3 of all four series tips off Friday and Saturday.
05
Off the Pitch: Botafogo Sack Ancelotti Jr After Five Months; Hulk Watch Continues
Off-field
Botafogo dismissed coach Davide Ancelotti, son of Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti, ending a five-month tenure that began in late 2025 and produced no continental progress. The 36-year-old’s first head-coaching role ended after Botafogo failed to defend their Brasileirão title (currently mid-table on 16 points after Round 14) and were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores group stage in Group D earlier in 2026. According to ESPN, the decision came after Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Remo at the Nilton Santos in Round 14. The club has not yet named a successor.
Fluminense, meanwhile, continue to wait on Hulk’s registration. The 39-year-old striker, signed on May 5 with a contract through December 2027, cannot play until July 20 due to the closed Brazilian transfer window — a constraint reaffirmed by CBF on Wednesday after Fluminense’s 1-1 draw with Independiente Rivadavia. Coach Luis Zubeldía’s side now have a clearer immediate path: with Fluminense bottom of Group C on two points, the May 19 home tie against Bolívar is virtually a must-win to keep Round of 16 hopes mathematically alive. In a separate development, Brazil-eligible defender Thiago Silva — currently with Fluminense — confirmed to ESPN that he has not given up hope of being included in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad despite recent omissions from Brazil’s senior pre-list.
06
Libertadores Standings After Matchday 4 (Selected Groups)
Standings
| GRP | TEAM | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Flamengo* | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 7 |
| A | Estudiantes | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 |
| A | Ind. Medellín* | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| A | Cusco FC | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 1 |
| B | Tolima | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 |
| B | Coquimbo Unido | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 7 |
| B | Universitario | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| B | Nacional (URU) | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
| F | Palmeiras | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 8 |
| F | Cerro Porteño | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 7 |
| F | Sporting Cristal | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| F | Junior (X) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 1 |
| G | Mirassol | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 9 |
| G | Lanús | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 6 |
| G | LDU Quito | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| G | Always Ready | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 3 |
* = DIM-Flamengo points pending CONMEBOL hearing. (X) = Eliminated from direct qualification (Sudamericana playoff still possible). Group C: Independiente Rivadavia (Q) already through.
07
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Why was the Independiente Medellín vs Flamengo match cancelled?
CONMEBOL cancelled the match after Independiente Medellín ultras lit flares and threw fireworks from the north stand of the Estadio Atanasio Girardot in the opening 90 seconds, creating a smoke screen that made the pitch unplayable, then attempted to break through perimeter fencing. The fans were protesting against the club’s board after a May 3 home loss to Águilas Doradas (2-1) ended their Liga BetPlay playoff hopes. Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela halted play; after a 75-minute delay, CONMEBOL announced the cancellation. Flamengo’s director of football José Boto requested the three points be awarded to the Brazilian club under CONMEBOL’s disciplinary code.
Who scored the Coquimbo Unido goals against Universitario?
Argentine forward Guido Vadalá scored both Coquimbo Unido goals at the Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso. Alex Valera (Universitario) had given the Peruvian visitors a 33rd-minute lead with a header off a rebound from the post, but Vadalá equalised at minute 50 with a back-post finish from a low cross, then completed the comeback at minute 72 with a right-footed strike inside the area. The 2-1 win lifts Coquimbo to seven points in Group B, level with Tolima at the top.
Where does Group B stand after Matchday 4?
Group B is now a two-team race for direct qualification, with Tolima and Coquimbo Unido level on seven points each. Universitario sit third with four points after the loss in Coquimbo, and Nacional are bottom with three following Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat to Tolima in Ibagué. The decisive match comes on Tuesday, May 19 when Coquimbo travel to Tolima — both for first place and direct qualification. Final-round fixtures on Tuesday, May 26 see Universitario host Tolima at the Monumental in Lima while Nacional host Coquimbo at the Gran Parque Central in Montevideo.
Updated: 2026-05-08T08:30:00Z by Matt Camenzind, Latin America correspondent.
Related coverage: previous Latin America Sports Daily (May 7 — Rivadavia first through) · Brasileirão Round 9 · Brazil Elections 2026 guide.