Thursday’s Recopa Sudamericana, pitting the winner of the Copa Libertadores, Flamengo (Brazil), against Argentina’s Club Atlético Lanús, produced a 1-0 lead for the home Argentine side. Below is a look at that match and other major headlines from football across the Americas this week.
Flamengo Will Attempt Comeback in Recopa Sudamericana
Flamengo enjoyed the majority of possession (65%) against Club Atlético Lanús in the first leg of the 2026 CONMEBOL Recopa Sudamericana, but managed just one shot on target. Lanús emerged with a deserved advantage after Rodrigo Castillo scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute. While the Brazilian side will still back their chances at home, Lanús at least enters the second leg in a stronger position after feeding off the atmosphere in Argentina. Castillo had two goals disallowed before finally converting his third major chance.
On Thursday at the Maracanã, Flamengo will expect their expensive squad to respond. Nahuel Losada will again defend the Lanús goal, while Colombian international Jorge Carrascal lined up as the starting striker for Flamengo in the first leg. Uruguay’s Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Chile’s Erick Pulgar, and record signing Lucas Paquetá featured in midfield. It remains unlikely that Flamengo will fail to at least push the tie into penalties, but Lanús have shown enough quality and belief to make the second leg uncomfortable.
Neymar’s Santos Eliminated from Campeonato Paulista
The headlines in Brazilian football continued this week. While national team manager Carlo Ancelotti enjoyed Carnaval, Neymar and his Santos teammates endured a far less festive outcome, as they lost to Novorizontino in the knockout phase of the Campeonato Paulista.
Novorizontino compete in Brazil’s Série B, and Santos are once again viewed as potential relegation candidates this season. Neymar’s performances helped drag them clear last year, but the squad remains deeply flawed. Despite his undeniable talent, he continues to carry a heavy burden in an unforgiving domestic landscape, and on the day, his own mistakes played a role in the defeat.
Santos are effectively valued as a mid-table Brazilian side, and 19-year-old Souza departed for Tottenham Hotspur in the recent transfer window. Neymar has openly said he may retire from football with Santos at the end of the year.
Joining Novorizontino in the semifinals of the São Paulo state tournament are the traditional giants of the region. Corinthians advanced on penalties over Portuguesa, while Palmeiras and São Paulo progressed as well, with São Paulo defeating RB Bragantino 2-1 thanks to a goal from Lucas Moura.
Philippe Coutinho Leaving Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama face long odds to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Fluminense in the Carioca state championship, and moving forward they will do so without former starboy Philippe Coutinho. Vasco have yet to win a Brasileirão match this season. The 33-year-old, once the face of the club, is departing due to what he described as “mental exhaustion.”
Should Coutinho choose to continue his career rather than retire, a move abroad appears likely. MLS could be an option given his global profile and his continued ability to produce moments of quality in the final third.
Lionel Messi Storms Off Pitch in MLS Opening Weekend, Diego Chara Reaches 400 Games
MLS opening weekend delivered immediate drama, as LAFC and Denis Bouanga dismantled defending champions Inter Miami with a dominant 3-0 victory. Lionel Messi was furious with what he perceived as poor refereeing and chased after the officials following the final whistle, only to be restrained—perhaps ironically—by teammate Luis Suárez. While it is a long season ahead, the attacking pairing of Son Heung-min and Bouanga already looks capable of driving a title challenge.
Colombian midfielder Diego Chara reached a historic milestone, playing his 400th match as a starter for the Portland Timbers. No MLS player has ever reached 400 starts with a single club. Now 39, Chara remains an important contributor after 16 seasons in Timbers green. Portland defeated Columbus Crew 3-2 with a late winner from Costa Rican winger Ariel Lassiter.
MLS also saw late transfer movement finalized. Timo Werner is joining the San Jose Earthquakes from RB Leipzig, while former Everton midfielder André Gomes is set to join Columbus Crew after a stint with Lille. Atlanta United are also close to signing Paraguayan international Matías Galarza, who will link up with fellow countryman Miguel Almirón for the Five Stripes.
Cruz Azul Hands Chivas First Defeat, Violence Forces Liga MX Suspension
In Liga MX’s marquee matchup of the week, Cruz Azul handed Chivas Guadalajara their first defeat of the season. Gabriel Fernández and Charly Rodríguez found the net, with Rodríguez delivering the decisive goal in the 85th minute after former La Máquina striker Ángel Sepúlveda had equalized moments earlier. The result leaves Cruz Azul second in the table, two points behind Chivas.
Pumas UNAM moved into third place with a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Monterrey Rayados. While Pumas continue to impress, both Regio sides, Monterrey and Tigres suffered defeats and now appear headed toward a high-stakes Clásico Regio that could decide one of the final places in the Liga MX playoffs.
Pachuca striker Kenedy scored a spectacular goal against Tigres, catching goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán well off his line.
In deeply concerning news, the Liga MX match between Querétaro and FC Juárez was suspended due to cartel-related violence following the death of a major cartel leader during a government raid. The Liga MX Femenil Clásico Nacional between Chivas and Club América was also postponed, along with a second-division match in Tamaulipas. Violence has impacted at least three states, most notably Jalisco, including Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
Marcelo Gallardo Could Resign at River Plate
River’s problems deepened as playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero was forced off injured in the first half, while new loanee Kendry Páez, the Ecuadorian wonderkid, lasted just 25 minutes before suffering an injury that left him in tears.
Adding further intrigue to the Argentine season, former River forward Adam Bareiro has joined Boca Juniors from Fortaleza. The Paraguayan’s arrival only adds to a Liga Argentina campaign that is shaping up to be wide open.
Few observers would be surprised after the struggles at River Plate, but reports suggest longtime River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo is on the cusp of resignation. River are winless in four matches and fell 1-0 to Vélez Sarsfield, who needed little more than a goal from Manuel Lanzini to secure victory. Vélez now lead Group A of Argentina’s Liga Profesional after six rounds. Lanzini made 131 appearances for River earlier in his career.
Adding further intrigue to the Argentine season, former River forward Adam Bareiro has joined Boca Juniors from Fortaleza. The Paraguayan’s arrival only adds to a Liga Argentina campaign that is shaping up to be wide open.
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
