Copa Libertadores — Fluminense are through to the Copa Libertadores semi-finals despite a 2-1 defeat at Platense, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate through Agustín Canobbio’s second-half goal.
The Libertadores quarter-finals close tonight at the Maracanã, where Flamengo host Independiente del Valle holding a 2-0 lead from the first leg in Quito. Estudiantes de La Plata and Palmeiras are already through.
In Chile, Colo-Colo remain the team to beat leading the Primera División with 54 points from 23 matches, twelve clear of Universidad Católica and Universidad de Chile with seven rounds left.
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Today’s headlines September 17, 2026
Event
Status
Angle
Copa Libertadores QF
Result
Fluminense advance 3-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 second-leg loss to Platense in Argentina.
Copa Libertadores QF
Result
Palmeiras beat Liga de Quito 4-3 on penalties after 3-3 on aggregate; Estudiantes won at Corinthians to go through 2-1.
Copa Libertadores QF
Tonight
Flamengo host Independiente del Valle at the Maracanã, 2-0 up from the first leg.
Chile Primera División
Feature
Colo-Colo lead by twelve points with seven rounds to play.
01
Fluminense Survive Platense Scare to Reach Libertadores Semis
Result
Fluminense lost 2-1 at Platense on Tuesday night but won the tie 3-2 on aggregate, securing a place in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals. The Brazilian side had built a 2-0 first-leg lead in Rio thanks to goals from Nonato and Hulk.
Platense struck twice before half-time through Guido Mainero and Bruno Sepúlveda to level the tie on aggregate. Agustín Canobbio’s goal early in the second half restored Fluminense’s overall advantage and proved decisive.
The Argentine hosts pushed for a third goal but could not break through again. Fluminense will meet Palmeiras in the semi-finals. Palmeiras came through a 3-3 aggregate draw with Liga de Quito on Wednesday, 16 September. Liga de Quito won the return 3-2 in Quito, through an early Segovia goal, after losing 1-0 in São Paulo. Palmeiras took the shoot-out 4-3.
In short — Fluminense are into the semi-finals after a 2-1 loss at Platense still gave them a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Latin America Sports Daily for Thursday, September 17, 2026 Photo: Icebbb, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Flamengo Face Independiente del Valle for Last Semi-Final Berth
Preview
Flamengo welcome Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle to the Maracanã tonight, Thursday 17 September 2026, at 9:30pm Rio time. The Rio side won the first leg 2-0 in Quito on 10 September, through goals from Bruno Henrique and Léo Pereira.
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Independiente del Valle, the 2019 Copa Sudamericana champions, are dangerous on the counter and in transition. Flamengo’s experienced squad, led by their attacking unit, must stay patient against a compact defensive block.
Whoever progresses will meet Estudiantes de La Plata, who won 2-1 on aggregate after drawing 1-1 at home. Alexis Castro settled the tie in São Paulo on Wednesday with an 87th-minute left-footed volley. CONMEBOL has set the semi-final first legs for 13 to 15 October and the returns for 20 to 22 October. Exact dates follow once tonight’s tie is settled.
In short — Flamengo and Independiente del Valle contest the final quarter-final second leg at the Maracanã tonight.
03
Colo-Colo Command Chile Primera División Race
Feature
Colo-Colo lead Chile’s Primera División with 54 points from 23 matches, showing a record of 17 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses. They have scored 48 goals and conceded 22, a plus-26 goal difference.
Universidad Católica and Universidad de Chile are joint second on 42 points each, twelve points behind. Seven rounds remain, and Colo-Colo need ten more points to settle the title.
The lead is large but not yet decisive. Three wins and a draw from the remaining seven matches would put the championship beyond reach of both Santiago rivals.
In short — Colo-Colo sit twelve points clear with 54 points from 23 matches and seven rounds to play. Three wins and a draw from those seven would put the title beyond both Santiago rivals, so the race can be settled before the final round.
04
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Who has already qualified for the 2026 Copa Libertadores semi-finals?
Fluminense, Palmeiras and Estudiantes de La Plata have qualified. Fluminense meet Palmeiras, and Estudiantes await the winner of Flamengo against Independiente del Valle.
When are the Copa Libertadores semi-finals played?
CONMEBOL’s window for the first legs is 13 to 15 October 2026, with the return matches between 20 and 22 October. Exact dates and kick-off times are confirmed once the last quarter-final is played.
Who leads Chile’s Primera División in September 2026?
Colo-Colo are top with 54 points from 23 matches, twelve ahead of Universidad Católica and Universidad de Chile on 42 points each, with seven rounds left.
In short — Three semi-finalists are known, the fourth is decided tonight at the Maracanã, and Colo-Colo lead Chile by twelve points.
