The Copa Libertadores returned to action this week with the first leg of the Quarterfinals. Following the Round of 16 in mid-August, South America’s elite club competition returned with eight teams still in contention.
Road to the Quarterfinals
Starting in the Round of 16, each matchup is played across a home-and-away two-legged tie until the final, a single match at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay. The 16 participating teams were seeded based on their Group Stage performance, with no restrictions on who can face who.
Round of 16 Results
- Estudiantes (4-1 agg.) Universidad Catolica
- Corinthians (1-0 agg.) Rosario Central
- Independiente del Valle (4-1 agg.) Deportes Tolima
- Flamengo (3-2 agg.) Cruzeiro
- Fluminense (1-1 agg, 5-4 pen) Independiente Rivadavia
- Platense (1-1 agg, 7-6 pen) Coquimbo
- Palmeiras (2-1 agg.) Cerro Porteño
- LDU Quito (1-1 agg, 5-4 pen) Mirassol
With a bracket set in place, all matchups were set up in the knockout draw on May 29.
Game results and schedule
| Team 1 | Team 2 | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estudiantes | Corinthians | 1–1 | Sep 16 (8:30 PM ET) |
| Palmeiras | LDU Quito | 1–0 | Sep 16 (6:00 PM ET) |
| Fluminense | Platense | 2–0 | Sep 15 (6:00 PM ET) |
| Independiente del Valle | Flamengo | 0–2 | Sep 17 (8:30 PM ET) |
Estudiantes hosted Corinthians and kicked things off with an early fourth minute goal from Alexis Castro. Kaio Cesar equalized in the 47th minute, with the tie all level heading to the reverse fixture in Sao Paulo.
Palmeiras completely dominated in the first leg, but underperformed after scoring just one goal despite 3.25 xG. With 28 total shots, Gonzalo Valle made six saves and was the man of the match for LDU Quito. The Ecuadorian side are great at home and will believe they have a good chance at overcoming the deficit in Quito.
Fluminense opened the week with a great 2-0 home win vs. Club Atletico Platense. Nonato and Hulk both scored first half goals, establishing a great lead heading back to Argentina.
The quarterfinal first legs concluded in Quito with a 2-0 win for Flamengo against Independiente del Valle. After a first half dominated by Independiente, the Ecuadorian side were unable to capitalize on their dominance in possession. Flamengo turned things around in the second half, scoring two second half goals via Bruno Henrique and Leo Pereira.
Where to watch?
All Copa Libertadores matches can be streamed exclusively through beIn SPORTS.
