Latin America Sports Daily — August 22, 2026

IDV carry a slender 1-0 lead into the Quito decider

Preview

Independiente del Valle hold a 1-0 first-leg lead from Ibagué, where they silenced Deportes Tolima on 18 August. The Ecuadorian side won at the Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro, a result beIN SPORTS called a “big blow” for the Colombian hosts.

With away goals no longer used as a tiebreaker in CONMEBOL competitions, Tolima must win by two in Quito to go through outright — a 1-0 win would level the tie and force extra time and, if needed, penalties. The return leg kicks off at 19:30 local time on Tuesday 25 August at Estadio Banco Guayaquil, IDV’s high-altitude home.

The stakes are clear and specific. CONMEBOL’s official release confirms the winner of this tie advances to the quarter-finals, where Flamengo are waiting.

Flamengo progressed on Wednesday 19 August after beating Cruzeiro 2-1 at the Maracanã, completing a 3-2 aggregate victory. The winner in Quito will therefore travel to Rio de Janeiro for the next round.

Tolima’s route changed after a devastating earthquake in Colombia on 10 August forced the first leg to move from midweek. Now the series concludes in a stadium where IDV have built their continental reputation.

River Plate and Santa Fe resume a finely balanced Sudamericana tie

Preview

The Copa Sudamericana round of 16 also has one clear fixture still to settle. River Plate host Independiente Santa Fe at Buenos Aires’s Estadio Más Monumental on Wednesday 26 August at 21:30 local time.

CONMEBOL’s official schedule page confirms the second leg follows a first meeting at El Campín in Bogotá on 19 August. The winner of the tie goes into the quarter-finals of the continent’s secondary club competition.

For River, the Sudamericana represents a realistic path to a trophy under the lights at their vast home ground. Santa Fe, meanwhile, are Colombia’s last line in a competition that has already seen several Argentine clubs dominate.

The tie is listed as River Plate vs Santa Fe, with the Buenos Aires club hosting the decider. Kickoff is officially 21:30 local time, which is 00:30 GMT on Thursday for UK readers.

The Colombian earthquake shaped the final Libertadores schedule

Feature

The reason the Libertadores round of 16 still has an outstanding tie is not sporting. A devastating earthquake struck Colombia on 10 August 2026, prompting CONMEBOL to postpone the original Tolima vs Independiente del Valle first leg.

The governing body moved the first leg from 11 to 18 August and pushed the second leg back a week to 25 August, preserving the home-and-away integrity of the tie. The second leg remained on 25 August, as CONMEBOL’s “dates confirmed” release makes clear.

That adjustment means the quarter-final picture will not be complete until late Tuesday night in Ecuador. The final slot in the last eight hinges on whether Tolima can overturn the deficit away from home.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What is the current stage of the 2026 Copa Libertadores?

The competition is in the round of 16. First legs ran from 11–13 August 2026 and second legs from 18–20 August, except for the rescheduled Tolima vs Independiente del Valle tie.

Who has already qualified for the Libertadores quarter-finals?

Fluminense, Estudiantes de La Plata, Palmeiras, Platense, Flamengo, LDU Quito and Corinthians are confirmed as quarter-finalists. LDU Quito eliminated Mirassol 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate, and Corinthians edged Rosario Central 1-0 on aggregate.

When do Independiente del Valle play Deportes Tolima in the second leg?

The second leg is on Tuesday 25 August 2026 at 19:30 local time in Quito, Ecuador. IDV lead 1-0 from the first leg in Ibagué.