Latin America Sports Daily for Thursday, August 20, 2026

Fluminense survive a shootout in Mendoza to keep their Libertadores campaign going

Result

Fluminense drew 1-1 with Independiente Rivadavia on Tuesday night in Argentina, with the second leg ending 1-1 on aggregate.

The tie went to penalties and the Rio side held their nerve to win the shootout 5-4.

Fluminense now move into the quarter-finals while the Argentine debutants go out after a hugely creditable run.

The result keeps Marcão’s caretaker side alive on two fronts: they sit fourth in Série A and remain in continental contention.

Estudiantes dismantle Universidad Católica 3-0 in Santiago

Result

Estudiantes produced the most convincing second-leg performance of the round so far, winning 3-0 at Universidad Católica.

That made it 4-1 on aggregate and sent the La Plata club into the quarter-finals with real momentum.

Católica’s continental run ends at home, leaving Chilean hopes in the competition resting elsewhere.

Estudiantes now become one of the teams nobody will want to draw in the last eight.

Palmeiras edge Cerro Porteño to stay on course for a domestic and continental double

Result

Palmeiras won 1-0 away at Cerro Porteño on Wednesday night, enough for a 2-1 aggregate victory in the round of 16.

The Brazilian side had drawn the first leg 1-1 at home, so the clean sheet in Asunción proved decisive.

Palmeiras lead the Brasileirão Série A with 48 points and remain alive in the Libertadores.

Cerro Porteño bow out despite a disciplined first leg and a tense second leg at home.

Platense edge Coquimbo Unido 7-6 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals

Result

Coquimbo Unido and Platense played out a 0-0 draw in Coquimbo on Wednesday, leaving the tie 1-1 on aggregate.

That left the tie at 1-1 on aggregate, with penalties needed to separate the Chilean and Argentine clubs.

Platense won it 7-6 and go through, underlining how fine the margins are in this year’s last-16 round.

Across the first two nights of second legs, four ties have now gone to spot-kicks or been settled by a single goal.

LDU Quito and Mirassol face off tonight with the tie locked at 1-1

Preview

LDU Quito host Mirassol tonight in the Ecuadorian capital, with the round-of-16 tie delicately balanced at 1-1 after the first leg.

The altitude of Quito and the home crowd give LDU a strong platform, but Mirassol have been one of the stories of this year’s Libertadores.

The Brazilian side, a small club from São Paulo state, drew 1-1 at home in the first leg and now need an away result to progress.

Kick-off is 5pm in Quito, which is 7pm in Brazil and 6pm ET in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How did Fluminense get past Independiente Rivadavia in the Libertadores last 16?

Fluminense drew 1-1 in the second leg in Argentina, leaving the tie 1-1 on aggregate.

They then won the penalty shootout 5-4 to advance to the quarter-finals.

Who else has advanced to the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals this week?

Estudiantes beat Universidad Católica 3-0 in Santiago and 4-1 on aggregate.

Palmeiras won 1-0 at Cerro Porteño and 2-1 on aggregate. Platense beat Coquimbo Unido 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw.

What is at stake for Corinthians and Rosario Central in tonight’s tie?

Corinthians host Rosario Central with the tie at 0-0 after the first leg in Argentina.

The winner on the night will advance to the quarter-finals, with penalties awaiting if the second leg also finishes goalless.