2026 Copa Libertadores Round of 16 Set with Rematches, Newcomers and Heavyweight Clashes

The 2026 Copa Libertadores is back from its break with the Round of 16 bracket fully set, and there is a bit of everything: immediate rematches, newcomers who made history, and at least one tie already being savored as the dish of the round. The 16 teams that survived the group stage now know their executioners, and the ties will be played between August 11 and 20.

Fluminense vs. Independiente Rivadavia: an instant rematch

Let's start with the most curious matchup of them all. Fluminense and Independiente Rivadavia already crossed paths in the group stage, and the club from Mendoza known as la Lepra pulled off a huge upset, winning 2-1 at the Maracana. The side coached by "la Bruja" Berti was one of the revelations of the tournament, finishing first in Group C with 16 of a possible 18 points, unbeaten, and wrapping up the phase with a resounding 3-1 win over Bolivar in La Paz. Fluminense, on the other hand, had a tougher road: they opened with a draw against Deportivo La Guaira and then lost two straight, needing back to back home wins just to finish second. Now they get their shot at revenge, though they will have to close out the series in Mendoza.

Estudiantes vs. Universidad Catolica, and the breakout sides make their bow

Estudiantes finished second in Group A behind Flamengo, with 9 points and a late, nerve wracking win over Independiente Medellin that sealed their spot. Standing in their way will be a Universidad Catolica side that won Group D with 13 points despite opening with a home loss to Boca. They bounced back with road wins over Cruzeiro and Barcelona, and closed out the group stage with a statement win, beating Boca 1-0 at La Bombonera. Estudiantes will host the first leg, but the tie will be decided in Santiago.

Another matchup with an underdog flavor pits Platense against Coquimbo Unido, two teams that blew past expectations. El Calamar made history in their first ever Libertadores campaign, finishing second in Group E with 10 points and clinching qualification with a 2-0 rout of Corinthians in Sao Paulo, powered by a brace from Franco Zapiola. Coquimbo went even further, winning Group B with 10 points on the back of home wins over Universitario and Deportes Tolima. The winner of this series has a big prize waiting: a quarterfinal date with the winner of Fluminense vs. Independiente Rivadavia.

Rosario Central vs. Corinthians and Palmeiras vs. Cerro Porteno

Rosario Central arrive having built a defense that was practically a vault for most of the group stage: they conceded their first goal only on the final matchday, in a 1-0 loss to Independiente del Valle that cost them the top spot in Group H. Before that they had already sealed qualification with a 4-0 thrashing of UCV at the Gigante de Arroyito. Corinthians, who topped Group E with 11 points, showed two different faces: they opened with three straight wins before cooling off, even losing 0-2 to Platense on their own turf, something Rosario Central will surely keep in mind.

Palmeiras, the reigning runner up and one of the tournament favorites, had to grind it out until the final matchday of Group F and booked their spot with a 4-1 win over Junior de Barranquilla. Their opponent, Cerro Porteno, won that group with 13 points after a remarkable turnaround following an opening day loss to Sporting Cristal, and even beat Palmeiras themselves at the Allianz Parque thanks to a goal from Pablo Vegetti. The overall head to head record still favors Palmeiras, but Cerro Porteno have already shown they can hurt them.

Cruzeiro vs. Flamengo, the marquee matchup

If there is one series that promises fireworks based on pedigree and star power, this is it. Flamengo were the best team of the entire group stage: unbeaten leaders of Group A with 16 of 18 points, 14 goals scored and only two conceded. The defending champions left no doubt they remain a top contender. Cruzeiro, meanwhile, had to grind their way through, finishing second in Group D with 11 points, and it was not until the final matchday, with a 4-0 win over Barcelona, that they put any nerves to rest. Flamengo will have the advantage of closing out the series at the Maracana.

Mirassol vs. Liga de Quito and Tolima vs. Independiente del Valle

Mirassol is another of the tournament's feel good stories: in their first ever participation, they broke into the top 16 largely thanks to their fortress at the Estadio Maiao, where they picked up nine of their twelve points with wins over Lanus, Always Ready and Liga de Quito itself. Liga, semifinalists in 2025, won Group G and closed out the phase with a nail biting win over Always Ready thanks to a brace from Deyverson. Each side won on home turf during the group stage, so the tie is wide open.

The last matchup, between Deportes Tolima and Independiente del Valle, was pushed back due to the earthquake in Colombia and is now expected to kick off a week later than originally planned. Independiente del Valle finished first in Group H after edging out Rosario Central on the final matchday, with Carlos Gonzalez leading the attack. Tolima, runners up to Coquimbo Unido in Group B, built their qualification at home in Ibague and salvaged the draw they needed against Universitario on the last matchday. The Colombian side will also have to overcome the disadvantage of playing the second leg in Ecuador.