Latin America Sports Daily for Thursday, August 27, 2026

Libertadores last eight locked in after penalty drama

Result

The Copa Libertadores round of 16 is over, and the quarter-final lineup carries Brazilian and Argentine weight. Fluminense edged Independiente Rivadavia 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw in Mendoza on 18 August.

Platense also needed spot-kicks, beating Coquimbo Unido 7-6 on penalties after both legs ended 1-1. Estudiantes were more emphatic, winning 3-0 at Universidad Católica to advance 4-1 on aggregate.

Brazilian giants flex muscle in second legs

Football

Flamengo beat Cruzeiro 2-1 at the Maracanã to seal a 3-2 aggregate win and keep their continental hopes alive. Palmeiras edged Cerro Porteño 1-0 in Asunción, progressing 2-1 overall. Corinthians also won 1-0 at home to Rosario Central, enough for a 1-0 aggregate victory.

LDU Quito and Independiente del Valle fly Ecuador’s flag

Result

LDU Quito survived a shootout against Brazil’s Mirassol, winning 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 second leg in Quito. The aggregate score was 1-1. Independiente del Valle were more comfortable, beating Deportes Tolima 3-1 in Quito on 25 August to complete a 4-1 aggregate triumph.

Santa Fe silence the Monumental and knock out River Plate

Result

River Plate’s continental season ended on Wednesday night at the Monumental, where Independiente Santa Fe held them to a 1-1 draw and won the shootout 8-7. The tie went to penalties after a goalless first leg in Bogotá, which had been postponed from 12 August by the earthquake that struck Colombia on 10 August.

Vasco da Gama had already booked Brazil’s place in the last eight, winning 4-1 at Olimpia after a goalless home leg. The Sudamericana quarter-finals are scheduled for September.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Which teams are in the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals?

Fluminense, Estudiantes, Palmeiras, Platense, Flamengo, LDU Quito, Corinthians and Independiente del Valle.

First legs are set for 8–10 September and second legs for 15–17 September, with Independiente del Valle drawn against Flamengo.

What happened in the River Plate vs Santa Fe Sudamericana tie?

Santa Fe drew 1-1 at the Monumental on Wednesday 26 August and won the penalty shootout 8-7 to reach the quarter-finals.

The first leg in Bogotá had finished 0-0 after being postponed by the 10 August earthquake.

What is at stake in Argentina’s Liga Profesional this weekend?

Boca Juniors host Lanús on Friday 28 August at 9.30pm, and River Plate visit Banfield on Sunday 30 August at 3pm.

Both Buenos Aires giants are balancing domestic and continental campaigns.