This week’s Americas football round-up begins on a somber note. Preparations for Peru’s biggest derby, the Peruvian Clásico, turned into a tragedy, as a banderazo the night before the match between Universitario and Alianza Lima saw one fan die with around 60 more injured among the faithful of Alianza Lima. While details around the tragedy remain somewhat unclear, it is likely that a human stampede, rather than a structural collapse at the Estadio Alejandro Villanueva, caused the deaths. The event appeared to be fan-organized and directed, rather than a situation being directly managed by club administration, however the Alianza Lima players were present training and tried to calm the situation to prevent further injuries or deaths. The tragedy has shocked Peru and made headlines across Latin America.
Peruvian Clásico Continues On As Scheduled Despite Tragedy
On Sunday the match continued as scheduled, taking place at Universitario’s home, Estadio Monumental in Lima. Argentine Martín Pérez Guedes scored the only goal in the 52nd minute, and the team that has dominated Peru’s Liga 1 in recent seasons continued to reign. The win pulls them to within two points of Alianza Lima in the standings. The match was defensive and cautious, taking place just before Universitario begins their Copa Libertadores campaign this week against Deportes Tolima from Colombia.
The fan stampede is a heartbreaking reminder that attending football matches in person is sometimes not entirely safe across the globe — circumstances can change in a moment in stadiums, often with life-altering consequences.
River Plate Wins 4th Game in a Row
Under new management from Eduardo “Chacho” Coudet, Argentina’s River Plate has found its footing again. The club won its 4th straight match in the LPF, with victories over Huracán, Sarmiento, Estudiantes R.C. and Belgrano — the last three without conceding — pushing them up to second place in Apertura Group B. Gonzalo Montiel and Colombian international Juan Fernando Quintero have been major contributors. Independiente Rivadavia leads Group B at 8-2-2, while Ángel Di María’s Rosario Central sits third. River Plate begins their Sudamericana campaign this week against Blooming from Bolivia on the road.
After Martínez Penalty Miss, Independiente Edges Racing Club in Derby
The Argentine league had a viral moment this weekend in the derby between Independiente and Racing Club. Racing Club’s Adrián Martínez missed a penalty wide with a Panenka attempt and was met with hugs and jeers from the opposing team. Independiente went on to score in the 81st minute and prevailed at home, moving into the top eight in their group standings. Leading Group A of the LPF are Vélez Sarsfield (6-4-2) and defending champions Estudiantes (6-3-3), with Boca Juniors third at 5-5-2 ahead of their Libertadores campaign.
Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana Group Stage Set to Begin
Tuesday through Thursday will see the commencement of the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana group stages for 2026. Notable Round 1 games include Brazil’s Corinthians against Platense from Argentina, Rosario Central against Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle, and Barcelona SC against Cruzeiro.
In the Copa Sudamericana, matches include Venezuela’s Carabobo against Red Bull Bragantino from Brazil, and Uruguay’s Boston River against São Paulo — a team that is currently a surprising second in Brazil’s domestic league at 6-2-2 after 10 games, surrounded in the standings by Palmeiras, Fluminense, Bahia, and Flamengo.
Bragantino thumped Flamengo 3-0 in a dominant performance on April 2nd and are a team to watch at the moment. Palmeiras’ leadership of the league remains unchallenged; they beat São Paulo 1-0 on March 21st.
Neymar Faces Suspension in Brasileiro
On top of not being selected for Brazil’s march friendly window ahead of World Cup in June he wants to take part in, Neymar is facing a suspension at Santos in the Brasileiro. He’s certainly suspended for the key matchup of Santos vs Flamengo, and could face a lengthier ban if his conduct criticizing the referee is considered “insulting and unsportsmanlike”. His post-match comments were roughly translated as accusing the female referee of being on her period, a clearly sexist comment.
Neymar’s time at Santos, despite some highlights has largely been a period of frustration for the veteran star, between fitness and focus concerns, and not having a team around him that lets him compete for trophies.
Colombia’s Liga BetPlay Dimayor Pushes Toward Conclusion of Regular Season
Teams are four or five games away from concluding the regular season of the 2026 Liga BetPlay Dimayor 2026-1 campaign. Atlético Nacional currently tops the league by three points with a game in hand, though they are far from a commanding frontrunner ahead of their secured participation in the playoffs.
The most surprising team has been Deportivo Pasto — at 8-4-3 they sit second in the standings, relying on the counter-attack to grind out results. Tolima is third. Deportivo Cali under new management has clawed their way back to seventh, while the final playoff place is being contested between Internacional de Bogotá and Millonarios. Millonarios begins their Sudamericana campaign this week, while Internacional de Bogotá has lost momentum of late.
Illustrating the parity in Colombia’s top division, Libertadores participants Santa Fe and Independiente Medellín are currently outside the playoff positions. On Saturday, Medellín hosts a Clásico Paisa against Atlético Nacional, while Bogotá’s Clásico Capitalino between Millonarios and Santa Fe takes place on Sunday, with both clubs in a difficult spot on the table.
Barcelona SC Moves to Third in Table With Win Over LDU Quito
Early in Ecuador’s league season, Barcelona SC is back up to third after seven matches, with the 2-0 win over rivals LDU Quito a pivotal result. Defending champions Independiente del Valle continue to lead the league at 5-1-1, while Universidad Católica sits second.
CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinals Arrive
MLS vs. Liga MX battles commence this week as all four CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals play their first legs. Nashville SC hosts Club América, a side that has regained its footing just enough to move into the top eight of the current Liga MX standings with only four games remaining in the regular season. Many Mexican-Americans will travel to Nashville to see the first leg of the series at a time when Las Aguilas are under significant pressure.
LAFC hosts Cruz Azul in a clash that gives the southern California fanbases of both clubs a chance to pack BMO Stadium. LAFC crushed Orlando City 6-0 on the weekend, the perfect warm-up.
Tigres UANL hosts Seattle Sounders at a moment when the poor form of the Monterrey based side may see them miss the Liga MX playoffs entirely — they cling to eighth in Liga MX — while Toluca hosts LA Galaxy looking to build a comfortable lead before the return leg in Los Angeles.
Perhaps already looking ahead to these matchups, all four Liga MX sides went winless over the weekend. Nashville lead the MLS Eastern Conference and LAFC leads the West. There’s a real reputational risk if MLS gets swept in these quarterfinal series — the growth and development of the league is always measured against its neighbor and rival Mexico in these CONCACAF games, and we’ll see what unfolds on the pitch this week.
Inter Miami Opens Nu Stadium
No, that’s not a typo — the new Inter Miami stadium is called Nu Stadium, the product of a naming rights deal with Brazilian fintech bank Nubank. The stadium opened this weekend.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez both scored, giving the South Florida club some great canon for their brand new home in the city of Miami, but it still ended 2-2 against Austin FC — a result that reflected Inter Miami’s overall ascendancy on the day while also exposing their continued defensive lapses.
Nu Stadium is within walking distance of the Miami international airport, it’s located on a Miami transit line and offers great views from its 26,700 seats. Many supporters are comparing it to the mid-sized and intimate stadiums you’ll find in La Liga or Serie A.
Repeating as MLS Cup champions and winning the Leagues Cup are the two remaining objectives for Miami this year; they sit fourth in the Eastern Conference, level with NYCFC and Charlotte.
In the West, Vancouver Whitecaps continue to shine just behind LAFC, while Timo Werner and the San Jose Earthquakes have put together a surprising 5-0-1 start. The other MLS headline? for US Men’s international Zack Steffen conceded a shocking own goal that went against Colorado in the Toronto FC vs Colorado Rapids match, in a match that had three red cards.
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
