Latin America Sports Daily — August 23, 2026

Corinthians edge Rosario Central to reach Libertadores quarters

Result

Corinthians beat Rosario Central 1-0 at Neo Quimica Arena on Thursday to win the tie 1-0 on aggregate. The Brazilian side had drawn the first leg 0-0 away, leaving the tie finely balanced.

The goal in Sao Paulo proved decisive, sending Corinthians through to the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals. They will face Estudiantes, who eliminated Universidad Catolica 4-1 on aggregate.

That quarter-final pairing is now confirmed. It brings together two clubs with serious continental pedigree and recent momentum.

Palmeiras and Flamengo survive scares to advance

Football

Palmeiras secured a 1-0 win at Cerro Porteno, taking the tie 2-1 on aggregate. The first leg in São Paulo had finished 1-1, and the return in Paraguay stayed level until Palmeiras found the game’s only goal.

Flamengo also progressed after a 2-1 home victory over Cruzeiro at the Maracana. That made the aggregate 3-2 in Flamengo’s favour.

Both Brazilian heavyweights now wait for their quarter-final opponents. Palmeiras face LDU Quito, while Flamengo will meet either Independiente del Valle or Tolima.

Independiente del Valle hold the edge before Tuesday’s decider

Preview

The only Libertadores last-16 tie still open sends Independiente del Valle home with a 1-0 lead. They beat Deportes Tolima in the first leg in Ibague, which had been delayed by an earthquake.

The second leg is at Estadio Banco Guayaquil in Quito on Tuesday. Kick-off is 19:30 local time, with the winners completing the quarter-final line-up.

A draw in Quito would be enough for the Ecuadorian side. Tolima must score at least once to have a chance of forcing penalties or winning outright.

Liga MX leaders America watch on as rivals chase points

Football

America sit top of Apertura 2026 with 13 points from five games, four wins and a draw. Toluca and Atlas are their closest challengers after Saturday, when Tijuana lost 5-2 at Chivas and Atlas won 2-0 at Cruz Azul.

Sunday’s two remaining Jornada 5 fixtures are Atletico San Luis against Pachuca at 5 pm and Pumas versus Necaxa at 7 pm, Mexico City time. Pumas can close the gap on the leaders with a home win.

The round began on Friday and continues through Sunday. Clubs are still shaping their form before the wildcard race tightens.

What is actually on today

Fixtures

Brasileirão Série A, round 24 — six matches, Brasília time. Palmeiras v Vasco 4 pm at the Allianz Parque, RB Bragantino v Grêmio 4 pm, Vitória v Bahia 4 pm in the Ba-Vi derby, Santos v Mirassol 6.30 pm at the Vila Belmiro, Chapecoense v São Paulo 6.30 pm and Coritiba v Corinthians 7.30 pm.

Argentine Torneo Clausura, fecha 6 — five matches, Argentine time, and the biggest game in South America today: Racing v Boca Juniors, 9.30 pm at the Cilíndro de Avellaneda, with Nicolás Ramírez refereeing. Before it, River Plate v Vélez Sarsfield at 7.15 pm, Belgrano v Defensa y Justicia at 5 pm, and Sarmiento v Estudiantes and Barracas Central v Platense both at 2.45 pm.

Formula 1, Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort — lights out at 10 am Argentine time, with Franco Colapinto back for Alpine after the summer break, twelfth in the standings on 19 points.

Also today — the Cincinnati singles finals follow the doubles, and Brazil’s Série B plays four matches: Ponte Preta v Avaí and São Bernardo v Náutico at 4 pm, Operário-PR v Vila Nova at 6 pm and Criciúma v Fortaleza at 6.30 pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Who is left to play in the Copa Libertadores round of 16?

Only Independiente del Valle against Deportes Tolima remains. The second leg is on Tuesday at Estadio Banco Guayaquil in Quito.

Independiente del Valle won the first leg 1-0 in Colombia and can advance with a draw.

Which teams have reached the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals so far?

Estudiantes, Corinthians, Fluminense, Platense, Palmeiras, LDU Quito and Flamengo are all through. The final spot comes from the Independiente del Valle-Tolima tie.

Confirmed quarter-finals are Estudiantes vs Corinthians, LDU Quito vs Palmeiras, and Platense vs Fluminense.

What happened in the Romero vs Lopez boxing match?

Teofimo Lopez beat Rolando Romero by majority decision — 116-112, 115-113 and 114-114 — at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night, taking the WBA welterweight title and becoming a three-division world champion.

The undercard featured Francisco Daniel Veron of Argentina, Victor Santillan of the Dominican Republic and Colombia’s Carlos Utria.