Latin America Sports Daily for Sunday, September 6, 2026

Fluminense open Libertadores quarterfinal week at the Maracanã

Preview

Fluminense host Argentina’s Platense on Tuesday at 19:00 local time in Rio de Janeiro. The Maracanã tie is the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarterfinal.

The Rio club reached this stage and will want a lead before the return in Vicente López next Tuesday. Platense are the surprise package of the quarterfinal lineup.

Brazilian sides dominate the last eight, with Fluminense, Palmeiras, Corinthians and Flamengo still alive. Corinthians are the one of the four playing away first, at Estudiantes in La Plata on Wednesday.

Boca Juniors and São Paulo collide in a Sudamericana blockbuster

Preview

Boca Juniors welcome São Paulo to La Bombonera on Tuesday at 21:30 local time. This Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal first leg pits two continental giants against each other.

Boca want to keep their continental season alive in front of their own fans. São Paulo travel to Buenos Aires knowing the return leg at MorumBIS is on 15 September.

The tie is the standout matchup of the Sudamericana quarterfinals. Both clubs are former Copa Libertadores winners.

Palmeiras host LDU Quito at Nubank Parque on Wednesday

Preview

Palmeiras face Ecuador’s LDU Quito on Wednesday at 19:00 local time in São Paulo. Nubank Parque, the Allianz Parque, is the venue for the Libertadores quarterfinal first leg.

The Brazilian side will look to build a lead before travelling to altitude in Quito for the second leg. LDU have history in this competition and will be awkward opponents.

Palmeiras are among the favourites to reach the semifinals. A clean sheet at home would be a valuable result.

Flamengo tackle altitude and Independiente del Valle in Quito

Preview

Flamengo visit Independiente del Valle on Thursday at 19:30 local time, 21:30 in Brasília, at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa. The Quito ground sits about 2,780 metres above sea level, a factor Brazilian teams often dread.

IDV have built a reputation as giant-killers in South American competition. Flamengo’s squad has the depth to manage the conditions but will need a disciplined performance.

The return leg at the Maracanã is scheduled for Thursday 17 September. A score draw or narrow defeat would keep Flamengo well placed.

Sudamericana quarterfinals span Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and Peru

Football

Santa Fe host Vasco da Gama in Bogotá on Tuesday at 17:00 local time, 19:00 in Brasília. The first leg is at El Campín, with the return at São Januário next Tuesday.

Santos welcome Atlético Mineiro to Vila Belmiro on Wednesday at 19:00 local time. That all-Brazilian tie concludes at Arena MRV on 16 September.

Cienciano meet Montevideo City Torque in Cusco on Thursday at 19:30 local time, 21:30 in Brasília. The Peruvian club play at altitude, while the Uruguayans host the second leg in Montevideo.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

When do the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals start?

The quarterfinal first legs are played from Tuesday 8 September to Thursday 10 September 2026.

Fluminense versus Platense opens the round on Tuesday. Palmeiras host LDU Quito and Estudiantes host Corinthians on Wednesday, and Independiente del Valle face Flamengo on Thursday.

Which Brazilian clubs are still in the Libertadores?

Four Brazilian clubs remain: Fluminense, Palmeiras, Corinthians and Flamengo.

That means Brazil has half of the quarterfinal field in the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

What are the key Sudamericana quarterfinal first-leg matches?

Boca Juniors host São Paulo at La Bombonera on Tuesday at 21:30 local time.

Santos play Atlético Mineiro in an all-Brazilian tie on Wednesday, and Cienciano meet Montevideo City Torque on Thursday.