By The Rio Times | Created at 2026-08-27 05:16:45 | Updated at 2026-09-04 15:07:33
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Copa Libertadores quarter-finals are set. The round of 16 concluded with Fluminense, Estudiantes, Palmeiras, Platense, Flamengo, LDU Quito, Corinthians and Independiente del Valle all advancing.
Argentina’s Liga Profesional continues this weekend. Boca Juniors host Lanús on Friday night, while River Plate visit Banfield on Sunday afternoon.
Santa Fe stunned River Plate at the Monumental. A 1-1 draw and an 8-7 penalty shootout on Wednesday night sent the Colombians into the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals.
Today’s headlines August 27, 2026
01
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.
In short — The eight quarter-finalists are confirmed after a round featuring three penalty shootouts.
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02
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.
In short — Flamengo, Palmeiras and Corinthians all advanced with narrow second-leg wins.
03
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.
In short — Two Ecuadorian sides remain in the competition after contrasting second-leg performances.
04
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.
In short — Santa Fe advance to the quarter-finals; River Plate’s continental campaign is over.
05
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.
In short — The Libertadores last eight is set; Santa Fe have eliminated River Plate; Boca and River are back in action on Friday and Sunday.
Sources: CONMEBOL Libertadores, ESPN Deportes — agenda, TyC Sports — Clausura fixture, Infobae
Updated: 2026-08-27T02:15:00-03:00 by Oliver Mason, Latin America sports correspondent.
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