Copa Libertadores: Round of 16 kicks off
The Copa Libertadores returns after the World Cup break, with 16 clubs competing in the knockout stage, dominated by teams from Brazil and Argentina.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Artigas Pessio
The Copa Libertadores is officially back following the break for the World Cup. There are 16 clubs remaining in the competition, representing six different South American nations.
Brazil leads the way in the Round of 16 with six clubs: Corinthians, Flamengo, Cruzeiro, Mirassol, Fluminense, and Palmeiras. Argentina follows with four representatives: Estudiantes, Independiente Rivadavia, Platense, and Rosario Central. The remaining spots are filled by teams from Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Colombia.
The knockout phase opens with Fluminense facing Independiente Rivadavia at the Maracanã. Other notable ties include an all-Brazilian clash between Cruzeiro and Flamengo, and the high-profile meeting between Palmeiras and Cerro Porteño, which is one of the most frequently played fixtures in the tournament's history.
Meanwhile, the competition schedule has been impacted by external events. The match between Deportes Tolima and Independiente del Valle has been postponed following an earthquake in Colombia, leading CONMEBOL to suspend matches in the country.