It was a weekend of rivalries with plenty at stake across the Americas. These clashes, including Gremio vs Internacional, didn’t disappoint. Meanwhile, eight teams prepare for the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana semifinals midweek. Here’s your look at what happened across North and South American football this weekend.
Gremio and Internacional Draw in Brasileirao Relegation Zone Clash
Gremio and Internacional are heated rivals in the best of times, but Sunday’s Gre-Nal 455 mattered even more than usual, as both clubs sit in the Brasileirao relegation zone after managing just seven wins each in 30 games.
The clash between the two Porto Alegre rivals at Gremio’s stadium ended in what has become a bitter and familiar fashion for both teams. A 1-1 draw, but there was plenty of spice in it. A goalkeeping error by Gremio’s Weverton left him out of position and put Internacional ahead through a lofted goal by Vitinho, but Wallace scored to level it for Gremio in the 72nd minute off a rebound.
Gremio had a goal disallowed for offside, and there was a refereeing controversy in the first half when Diego Caito appeared to be fouled in the box by Alexandro Bernabei. Despite Bernabei having a hand on Caito’s back, no penalty was awarded.
With the 1-1 result, all of Porto Alegre will be nervous in the weeks to come, as both teams look to stave off relegation.
With Copa Sudamericana Semifinals Ahead, Atletico Mineiro Gets a Bicycle Kick Winner Against Santos
The Copa Sudamericana semifinals this week will pit Atletico Mineiro against City Football Group’s Montevideo City Torque from Uruguay. Mineiro will enter the contest on a high, in a match with late drama, Mineiro defeated an in-form Santos 2-1. Thiago Borbas scored a stunning bicycle kick in stoppage time to ensure the 3 points and keep Mineiro in the middle of the table. and ahead of Santos.
In other Brasileirao action, Jorge Carrascal scored the only goal for Flamengo to top Fluminense, as Fluminense players took issue with alleged favoritism by the referees. The statement issued by Fluminense post-match: “Fluminense FC regrets that, once again, the greatest classic in Brazil has been tarnished by two clear refereeing errors…Protecting the integrity of players is the bare minimum expected from those responsible for enforcing the rules.”
Palmeiras eased past Corinthians 4-1, as Corinthians, dealing with financial problems and having just hired the Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf as manager after a long losing streak of eight league matches. Corinthians are another team locked in the relegation battle now, alongside Mirassol who missed a stoppage time penalty and lost to Bahia.
Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana Semifinals Up Next
Tuesday-Thursday will have semifinal action in the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana for 2026. The Sudamericana is up first with Vasco da Gama (Brazil) at Boca Juniors (Argentina), while Torque faces Mineiro. Boca Juniors suffered a serious injury blow ahead of the match, Captain Leandro Paredes injured his thigh and will miss at least a month.
In the Libertadores it’s the familiar faces of Palmeiras vs Fluminense in an all-Brazilian clash, and Flamengo against Estudiantes (Argentina).
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Angel Di Maria and Rosario Central have a goleada in Argentina
Rosario Central, led by the famous Angel Di Maria pummeled Independiente Rivadavia 5-0 on the weekend. Di Maria scored twice, and Rivadavia played the second half with 10 men. The result brings Rosario Central ahead on goal difference in Group B of the current Liga Argentina season. Instituto Central Cordoba are ahead in Group A, and are currently the only team to win eight games out of 12 matches this season.
Independiente Medellin Win vs America de Cali Ahead of “Clasico Paisa” Quarterfinal
Independiente Medellin will enter Wednesday’s Copa Colombia quarterfinal, a “Clasico Paisa” against Atletico Nacional in the best form possible. El Poderoso benefited from the reckless actions of America de Cali’s Dany Rosero, and got to play the second half against a 10-man America. Even against 10-men, it wasn’t a dominant showing, but defeating the league leaders America de Cali 2-1 as visitors is still a significant victory for DIM.
Medellin’s expectations this season, after significant activity in the transfer window, are twofold, a strong playoff showing in the league, and victory in the Copa Colombia. That second goal will be on the line on Wednesday against the king of cups, in the stadium both teams share.
The last two years, Nacional has defeated Medellin in the Copa Colombia and denied them a trophy. Now Medellin believe they can turn things around, as Nacional’s inconsistent form weighs them down at the moment.
Nacional believes it has the best midfield in Colombia, with James Rodriguez now steering, and Edwin Cardona, Ian Poveda, and new national team call-up Juan Manuel Rengifo as attacking options, but the club is without a proper striker due to a long injury list. There’s no Marlos Moreno, the creative winger, and no Alfredo Morelos or Cristian Arango. Medellin meanwhile, will miss their own #10 Juan Fernando Quintero.
With Nacional allergic to scoring goals right now, the opportunity is great for Medellin to pull off the victory.
In the Rain, Atlas deny Chivas in Clasico Tapatio
Liga MX matchday 11 action saw Atlas draw with Chivas at the Estadio Jalisco 1-1. It was a game played in a rainstorm, as Kevin Zenon scored a breakaway for Atlas, before Angel Sepulveda eventually equalized for Chivas, but not before Atlas goalkeeper Camilo Vargas saved a Sepulveda penalty. Both teams had their chances to win, and Chivas will perhaps be more frustrated, but it’s increasingly likely both Guadalajara teams will be in the Liga MX final eight at season’s end.
Other Liga MX action included Rayados grinding out a 1-1 result, after a Diego Rossi golazo against Club America at Estadio Azteca. The result still leaves Monterrey out of the final eight, but with pride in their performance as they were denied a penalty shout in the box in the first half. America equalized through Santiago Bueno, who ensured the Americanistas still could smile on their 110th birthday.
Tigres kept their Liga MX playoff hopes alive, Juan Brunetta scored twice at home and they defeated Toluca, the strongest team in Liga MX, 3-2. The Mexico City clash between Cruz Azul and Pumas ended 3-3, Pumas was leading but goalscorer Chino Huerta was sent off for two yellow cards in 37 minutes. Even though Robert Morales added another goal for Pumas with 10 men, Cruz Azul would battle back and score twice in the second half. The result keeps the final playoff positions table in Liga MX compressed.
Toronto FC Win Canadian Derby in MLS
The MLS Game of the week was Toronto’s thrilling 2-1 stoppage time win in the Canadian Derby against CF Montreal. Lewis Morgan and Djordje Mihailovic added to the trend of goals being scored late in MLS, Toronto, the home side, completed a remontada after 90 minutes to move within a point of the MLS playoffs. It’s been a difficult season for CF Montreal, and that was perhaps their most painful defeat of the year.
St. Louis City and Inter Miami are the other two storylines of the week. In all competitions it’s 20 matches unbeaten for St. Louis City, tying an MLS record held by the NY Red Bulls from 2016. St. Louis got a hat-trick from Carlo Holse in just 21 minutes, and beat the Galaxy 6-2. St. Louis remain in the hunt for winning the MLS Western Conference.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were the goalscorers as Inter Miami pummeled DC United 4-0, as Messi returned from his emotional Argentina national team farewell to continue to dominate MLS defences.
Extra Time Notes
This October, the relegation battle is on in Brazil, while four clubs from the country battle in the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana Semifinals.
In Colombia, Independiente Medellin have renewed confidence ahead of their Copa Colombia quarterfinal against Atletico Nacional, while the Liga MX Apertura playoff race remains wide open after another weekend of dramatic results.
In MLS, Toronto FC are fighting for a postseason place, and St. Louis City have matched a remarkable unbeaten record. With domestic league titles, continental trophies, playoff positions and even top-flight survival at stake, the coming weeks will offer more great football to savor across the Americas.
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Main Photo Credit: Imago/ Pera Photo Press
