The final phase of league seasons across the Americas for 2026 is coming into focus. The MLS playoffs are nearly decided, in Argentina, Boca Juniors won a lively Superclasico, and Liga MX is also setting its final field of eight. Here is your recap of the action in the past week.
Boca Juniors Wins The Superclasico 1-0, After River Plate Red Cards
River Plate was left livid as they were defeated 1-0 by Boca Juniors at La Bombonera in a key Liga Argentina match. Lautaro Di Lollo’s header was the difference maker, but River Plate played most of the match with ten, and then nine men as Lucas Martinez Quarta tackled Miguel Merentiel and got himself sent off with less than 10 minutes played. Gonzalo Montiel then got a straight red in the 79th minute, ending River’s hopes of even managing a point. River fans felt the decisions by the referee were unfair, but that’s not much of a balm for a team that simply hasn’t produced on the field for multiple seasons now.
Read More: AFA published the audios of the expulsions of Martínez Quarta and Montiel in the Boca-River match
This expensive River squad has continued to disappoint, while Boca won both Superclasicos’ this season, and leads the annual table in the Liga Argentina. Already a finalist in the Copa Sudamericana, Boca has secured their place in the 2027 Copa Libertadores.
Liga MX Playoffs Take Shape
Eight teams will advance to the finals series for Liga MX to close out 2026. The headline elimination already is Tigres UANL, typically a top spending and performing Liga MX side, Tigres from Monterrey were eliminated after a 3-0 defeat against Pachuca last week dropped them to 3-6-6- on the season. Tigres endured a difficult season after Guido Pizarro resigned as manager.
Across town, Rayados aren’t in much better shape, after a wild game that closed their home season, they drew 3-3 with Tijuana Xolos. Lucas Ocampos, recently criticized by supporters for selfish play, scored an amazing bicycle kick, but Tijuana’s brutal counterattacks left a poor Rayados defence reeling.
Through 14 or 15 games for every team, Tijuana are 6th on 22 points, tied with Leon and Santos Laguna, a side in great form. On the outside are Monterrey, Pumas, and Queretaro, all of whom have at least 20 points. Monterrey still has a match with Queretaro to draw level on matches played.
Starting Friday, matchday 16 (of 17) has Monterrey traveling to Toluca, Pumas taking on their rivals in Mexico City, Club America, Xolos against Necaxa, Leon against Chivas, and Santos against lowly Atlante.
MLS Decision Day Nearly Settled
MLS Saturday is “decision day”, meant to settle the teams who will be in the MLS playoffs for 2026, that field is already nearly set. The Eastern Conference playoff field is settled for MLS. Nashville SC won the Supporters Shield and need any result against Cincinnati to finish as all-time MLS leaders for regular season points. The other playoff teams are Inter Miami, New England Revolution, Chicago Fire, Charlotte FC, Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, and Orlando City. All of those teams have at least one notable star and look good enough to threaten upsets.
The Western Conference picture is more muddled, already qualified are Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, St. Louis City, Houston Dynamo and LAFC. If all results hold steady, La Galaxy, Portland Timbers, and Colorado Rapids would join them, but Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United are on the outside looking in and trying to move up. MLS has published information on the playoff scenarios for the teams in the west.
Paraguay’s Superclasico Won by Olimpia
Cerro Porteno were hosts, but Olimpia were the 2-0 winners of the Paraguay superclasico, Romeo Benitez sealed it off the bench. Olimpia moved to four points clear of Nacional in the table standings with five matches left.
CONCACAF Central American Cup is an all Costa Rican final between Cartaginés and Alajuelense
The 2026 CONCACAF Central American Cup final, first leg on December 2nd, will once more be all about Costa Rica. Despite the national team’s recent struggles, domestically Costa Rica continue to have the strongest league in the region. Cartagines defeated Olimpia 3-2 on aggregate to reach their first final in club history, Alajuelense has reached a fourth straight final in this tournament, they defeated Motagua 2-1 on aggregate to clinch that result. In the current league standings, Cartagines have the lead on goal difference, and Alajuelense is 4th
Ecuador and Chile Could Clinch Their Champions This Weekend, Colombia Has Nearly Set their Playoffs
Independiente Del Valle only needs a draw against Aucas on Sunday to clinch Ecuador’s Liga Ecuabet title, in Chile, Colo-Colo are also on the cusp of clinching a 35th star as they play Nublense on Sunday.
In Colombia’s Liga Betplay Dimayor, a new champion is assured and will be defined later. Junior de Barranquilla is already eliminated from playoff contention, five sides, Atletico Nacional, America de Cali, Deportivo Cali, Atletico Bucaramanga, and Santa Fe are already qualified for the last eight. Currently in the remaining spots are Millonarios, Medellin, and Aguilas Doradas, with Once Caldas also in the picture, one point behind Doradas.
Over the weekend, Jackson Martinez returned to the field for Medellin at age 40, after six years away from professional football, and he scored the decisive goal in the 87th minute to push Medellin past Alianza and further into the top 8.
The Last Word
We’re at the final stage for Colombia’s Liga Betplay Dimayor, MLS, and Liga MX to determine their playoff fields, Chile and Ecuador could crown their champions this weekend, while Argentina and Brazil’s domestic seasons are also reaching a conclusive phase. In Central American, Costa Rican sides still reign supreme. The weeks ahead will be about the fight for the playoffs, and which teams will get a truly happy holiday season.
Main Photo Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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