Midweek action across the Americas produced some intriguing results, none bigger than Colombian side Santa Fe stunning River Plate away in Buenos Aires to reach the last 8 in the Copa Sudamericana. We have all your headlines since the weekend.
Santa Fe Upset River Plate on Penalties
After drawing at home in Bogota, Colombia’s Santa Fe weren’t given much of a chance to upset the Argentine giants River Plate in the Copa Sudamericana second leg in Buenos Aires. Still, this group of players stuck together and put in a brave performance to win one of the biggest matches in club history. River Plate’s Sebastian Driussi had opened the scoring in a tepid game in the 52nd minute, but Franco Fagundez, a Uruguayan, buried a penalty chance in the 80th minute, and River Plate’s late efforts went without scoring. In the Copa Sudamericana, that means immediately going to penalty kicks after extra time, and what a dramatic shootout it was.
The entire lineups of both teams had a chance to take penalties after the 10 outfielders were deadlocked, with both teams having clear chances to win, it came down to the goalkeepers. River Plate goalkeeper Santiago Beltran didn’t convert his penalty, nearly tripping and falling in the attempt, and then couldn’t save the shot of Weibmar Asprilla. The Colombian goalkeeper could then celebrate in front of shellshocked River Plate supporters.
Santa Fe manager Pablo Repetto said post- match (the result) “is deserved because the players left everything on the field”
It was a game where River created more chances at home and dictated play, 72% possession, 31 shots to 12, but nothing found the back of the net and the ‘story of the season’ continued to be missed chances for River Plate.
Already struggling in the Liga Argentina, River Plate had pursued an aggressive transfer policy with the clear aim of winning the Copa Sudamericana, by squad value, they should have been among the favorites, but instead, Santa Fe is Colombia’s last team alive in a South American cup competition.
Ecuador Sends Two Teams to Copa Libertadores Quarterfinals
Ecuadorian football supporters can also take pride this week, they have put two teams into the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, this rare feat comes courtesy of Independiente Del Valle’s 4-1 aggregate victory over Deportes Tolima of Colombia. Already far and above the league leaders in the Liga Ecuabet with a 23 point lead in the standings, Del Valle will face off with Brazil’s mighty Flamengo in the Libertadores quarterfinals.
LDU Quito faces the other Brazilian league leaders, Palmeiras in two classic showdowns in September. This is the first time Ecuador has two teams in the final 8 of the Libertadores since 1990.
Liga MX Dominates Leagues Cup Quarterfinals
The Leagues Cup quarterfinals were all about Liga MX. Leon dominated Real Salt Lake 3-0 with Diber Cambindo scoring twice. Argentine manager Javier Gandolfi is off to a flyer with Leon and they have been the strongest Liga MX team in this competition.
Toluca will face Leon in the semifinals, after a routine 2-0 win over Austin FC. Austin FC hampered their own chances by getting a red card in the 40th minute, and Toluca scored twice after that, outshooting Austin 21-9.
Monterrey locked in their place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, Rayados were slower at times against Chicago Fire, but away from home Victor Guzman scored a header, and then Mexico international Orbelin Pineda scored a screamer of a goal in the 83rd minute to finish the victory. It ended 2-1, and could have been more as Lucas Ocampos missed a penalty. Veteran Argentine Esteban Andrada was solid in goal in his first match for the club since the 2025 Club World Cup over a year ago. Andrada was serving a 13-game suspension due to fighting in Spain’s second division.
Rayados will clash with Club America in the semifinals, Las Aguilas continued their run of strong performances by smashing the Columbus Crew 2-0. Raphael Veiga and Brian Rodriguez scored in the first half and veteran goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota put in a strong performance, including saving a penalty.
In 2025, all four Leagues Cup semifinalists were from MLS, this year, all four semifinalists are from Liga MX, the first time that’s happened in the history of the competition. Three of the four semifinalists also brought in new managers in 2026.
America de Cali With Statement Win over Junior de Barranquilla
As the Liga Betplay Dimayor continues to catch up the schedule after Colombia’s earthquake suspended play, supporters of America de Cali had a joyful moment, a 4-2 win over defending (consecutive) Colombian champions Junior de Barranquilla was their fifth win of this season.
Playing in their temporary home in Palmira, Colombia, America de Cali conceded early but then looked unbeatable, with four different players scoring in the rout. America de Cali have moved to a clear leadership role in the standings with 16 points from 6 matches and have already beaten both finalists last season, Junior and Atletico Nacional.
Main Photo Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
