Draws dominate first leg of Copa Libertadores Round of 16

By:Paulo PiresLibertadores EN14/08/2026at 10:01

Absolute parity marked the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, leaving all ties wide open for next week.

The first leg matchups of the Copa Libertadores have confirmed the high level of competitiveness in this year’s edition. With a series of draws in most of the duels, the landscape points toward an intense second week of action, where home-field advantage and tactical strategy will be decisive for teams chasing a spot in the quarterfinals.

Flamengo, who drew 1-1 with Cruzeiro at the Mineirão, emerges as one of the key protagonists in this final stretch. With the aggregate level, the Mais Querido needs a simple win at the Maracanã next Wednesday (19) to secure qualification in front of their home crowd.

Results and the Round of 16 landscape

The theme of equality was reflected across the round’s scoreboard. Here is how the first leg matches ended:

Estudiantes (ARG) 1-1 Universidad Católica (CHI)
Rosario Central (ARG) 0-0 Corinthians
Cruzeiro 1-1 Flamengo
Tolima (COL) vs. Independiente del Valle (EQU) – Postponed to the 18th
Mirassol 1-1 LDU (EQU)
Palmeiras 1-1 Cerro Porteño (PAR)
Platense (ARG) 1-1 Coquimbo Unido (CHI)
Fluminense 0-0 Independiente Rivadavia (ARG)

In the matches played this Thursday (13), Mirassol drew 1-1 with LDU in a game highlighted by Eduardo’s goal for the Brazilians. Meanwhile, Corinthians, managed by Fernando Diniz, held on for a 0-0 draw against Di María‘s Rosario Central, even after Allan was sent off.

Postponement impact and return legs

The clash between Tolima and Independiente del Valle had its schedule changed due to natural disasters in Colombia. CONMEBOL rescheduled the match for the 18th, shifting the dynamic of the bracket that crosses with the winner of Flamengo vs. Cruzeiro.

Next week will be decisive. In addition to the match in Rio de Janeiro, Palmeiras travels to Paraguay to face Cerro Porteño, while Fluminense seeks a result away from home against Rivadavia. The expectation is that the balance seen in the first legs will give way to more open games as teams hunt for the winning goal.

The M360 Team assessed:

The sequence of draws only shows how balanced the Libertadores is. Next week promises intense excitement. Some Brazilian sides are in a very complicated situation, such as Palmeiras and Mirassol. Flamengo, meanwhile, will have the support of the ‘Nação’ at the Maracanã to secure their place in the quarterfinals.

With tensions running high, the Brazilian teams take the pitch under pressure. The support from the stands will undoubtedly be one of the greatest assets for clubs like Flamengo, who view the coming week as a crucial moment to stay alive in the pursuit of the continental title.

M360 Team