Weekday action across the Americas will see the conclusion of the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals, along with a Campeones Cup battle between Cruz Azul from Liga MX and Inter Miami from MLS. We recap the weekend action and look ahead to what’s in store for the week across North and South America. We also recently took a look at the close of the transfer window across the Americas.
Advantage Brazil in the Copa Libertadores Quarterfinals
The 2026 Copa Libertadores could feature four Brazilian teams, if everything goes according to the script. Palmeiras holds a 1-0 lead ahead of traveling to Quito on Wednesday to face LDU Quito. Flamengo are hosting the other Ecuadorian side, Independiente Del Valle, with a 2-0 lead. Corinthians were level 1-1 with Estudiantes, but the first leg was at home for the Argentine side, making Corinthians the favorite in the return leg.
Platense is trying to overcome a 2-0 deficit against Fluminense, but they are the hosts in Buenos Aires. While at least one of the ties should become compelling at this point, the Copa Libertadores have become a familiar script, better funded and organized Brazilian sides dominate the competition, including the two richest clubs in South America, Flamengo and Palmeiras. The top two Brazilian clubs have extended their domestic points table lead to 10 points over third place.
Santos Aims for The Copa Sudamericana Semifinals
Santos, the team effectively administered by Neymar Jr. at this point, has a 2-0 lead heading into the away leg against Brazilian rivals Atletico Mineiro in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals.
Brazilian sides Vasco da Gama (vs Colombia’s Santa Fe at home), and Sao Paulo (who trail Boca Juniors 1-0) could join them in the semis. Vasco and Santa Fe played out a first leg scoreless draw. Sao Paulo is at home as they attempt the comeback against Boca Juniors.
Cienciano from Peru leads Torque 2-0 before the return leg in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Cruz Azul Travels to Face Inter Miami after Win Over America
The Clasico Joven on Saturday was a seven goal thriller, though two of Club America’s goals came very late in the contest. Erik Lira started the scoring for Cruz Azul, who had three goals in the first 45 minutes, and a fourth from Gabriel Fernandez.
America didn’t quit at the end, with Oscar Perea and Miguel Borja scoring past 90 minutes, but the result, a third consecutive victory for Cruz Azul in Liga MX, moves them up to 4th on the table, while America fell to third with their first domestic defeat after seven games. Given Lira was expected to head to Europe this transfer window, but his move to AS Monaco fell through, Cruz Azul is happy to have the El Tri midfielder as they chase another Liga MX title.
On Wednesday, Cruz Azul travels to face an Inter Miami side under a new manager, but otherwise out of form. Inter Miami finished their third consecutive draw in MLS on Saturday, drawing with league leaders Nashville SC 2-2, after conceding late. The script is pretty clear this point for the Herons, Lionel Messi and friends generate chances are almost never held scoreless, but a brittle defence is nearly certain to concede going the other way. Expect Inter Miami to get on the scoreboard against Cruz Azul, but they may not be enough to win. Significant criticism has recently been leveled at striker German Berterame, who continues to miss open chances despite his expensive price tag as a designated player.
Chivas with a Statement Win, Clasico Regio is a Bore
In other Liga MX weekend action, Chivas dominated Pumas UNAM 3-0 at Estadio Akron, with a pair of goals from Santiago Sandoval, Chivas next wonderkid at just age 19. Sandoval is yet to be capped by Mexico’s national team, but having already played 39 games for Chivas, his stock is rising quickly as Chivas, at 5-2-1 has moved to the top of the table.
This Saturday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, it’s Mexico’s biggest rivalry clash with Club America hosting Chivas.
In Monterrey, the Clasico Regio could only be described as “aburrido”, Tigres setup defensively and was fine to absorb pressure, generating just five shots in the game. Monterrey Rayados looked tired and couldn’t get off the mark at home. The draw leaves both Regio sides out of the eight playoff places, and they will need to play catchup in the second half of the season.
Toluca put five goals past a new look Atlas and continued to make their case as the best team in Liga MX.
Universitario Wins Peruvian Clasico in Extra Time
Alianza Lima was the host of this season’s Peruvian Clasico against Universitario, the defending champions Universitario were the winners, as Lisandro Joel Alzugaray scored in the 97th minute to defeat Lima in a thriller, Alzugaray’s goal was helped by an error by the Lima defender on a lose ball, meaning he’s sure to draw the ire of Lima supporters for weeks to come. The win also pushes Universitario to the top of the table in the 2026-27 Clausura season with a 6-2-1 record.
LigaPro Ecuador Heads to Hexagonal Phase
From September 20th until December, the LigaPro Ecuador (Liga Ecuabet) will enter its hexagonal phase. Independiente del Valle leads the top of the table by 23 points, and are near certain champions, but the second place in the table grants a Copa Libertadores spot and is up for grabs with Universidad Catolica and Macara currently tied on points for second, and Aucas third just a point behind.
Philadelphia Union With Third Straight Clean Sheet Victory
Cavan Sullivan and the Philadelphia Union are the talk of MLS right now, in September their results are 2-0 against Montreal, 5-0 against Cincinnati, and 5-0 against San Diego FC as they are now into a playoff position, sitting 7th in the MLS Eastern Conference. Should they make the playoffs, they are a team that nobody wants to face based on form.
Argentina’s Racing Club in Crisis
With a 1-2-6 start to the season, and dead last in the Group B table, Racing Club, a traditional powerhouse in Argentina is in crisis. The Buenos Aires Times covered the difficulties for both racing Club and Independiente at the moment.
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images Copyright: xMarianaxBazox
