Independiente del Valle Secures Spot in Libertadores Quarterfinals Against Flamengo
Only one matchup remained undecided in the Libertadores 2026 quarterfinals, and it was on Independiente del Valle to eliminate Deportes Tolima this Tuesday (25). The Ecuadorian team impressed, earning a place in the semifinals, where they will face Flamengo.
Independiente del Valle triumphed 1-0 in the first leg away from home and followed it up with a 3-1 victory in front of their fans at Banco Guayaquil Stadium. Goals from Daykol Romero in the 59th minute and Carlos González in the 70th minute put the home side in a commanding position. Although Júnior Hernández scored a stunning goal for Tolima in the 84th minute, Perello added another for Independiente del Valle in stoppage time, sealing the match at 3-1.
The defeat for Tolima marked an important achievement for Ecuador, as the nation secured a second representative among the final eight. The quarterfinal lineup now includes four teams from Brazil, two from Argentina, and the Ecuadorian duo of LDU and Del Valle. This setup guarantees altitude matchups for Palmeiras and Flamengo, as they face off against teams in Quito.
Palmeiras will host their second leg at an altitude of 2,850 meters, presenting an extra challenge. Flamengo’s initial match against Del Valle will also take place at high elevation. If Tolima had progressed, Flamengo would still have faced altitude, but only at 1,285 meters above sea level.
The confirmed quarterfinal matchups feature teams hosting the second legs as follows:
- 🇦🇷 Corinthians vs. Estudiantes 🇦🇷
- 🇦🇷 Flamengo vs. Independiente del Valle 🇪🇨
- 🇪🇨 LDU vs. Palmeiras 🇦🇷
- 🇦🇷 Platense vs. Fluminense 🇦🇷
Conmebol has yet to announce the specific dates and kickoff times, but the matches are scheduled for October 8, 9, or 10 for the first leg, and October 15, 16, or 17 for the second leg.
In the semifinals, the winners of the Corinthians vs. Estudiantes matchup will face the victors of Flamengo vs. Independiente del Valle. Meanwhile, the winners from LDU vs. Palmeiras will compete against the winners of Platense vs. Fluminense, with the matches set to take place between October 14 and 22. The final will occur on November 28 at Centenario Stadium in Montevideo.
Only one of the Libertadores 2026 quarterfinal matchups was still to be decided.
And it was up to Independiente del Valle to send Deportes Tolima packing this Tuesday (25).
The Ecuadorian side will face Flamengo for a place in the semifinals.
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After winning 1-0 away from home, Del Valle made it 3-1 in front of its fans at Banco Guayaquil Stadium.
Daykol Romero (59′) and Carlos González (70′) scored for the home team.
Júnior Hernández pulled one back for the Colombian side with a stunner in the 84th minute.
And Perello scored the third for the qualified Del Valle (95′).
Only teams from 3️⃣ countries and ALTITUDE
Tolima’s elimination meant Ecuador secured its second representative among the final eight.
There are four teams from Brazil, two from Argentina, and the Ecuadorian duo of LDU and Del Valle.
The presence of those teams will guarantee altitude clashes in Quito for Palmeiras and Flamengo.
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Verdão will play the second leg with 2,850 meters of altitude as an “extra” rival.
The same goes for Rubro-Negro, which will play the first match against Del Valle “high up on the hill.”
Fla would also have had altitude ahead if Tolima had gone through. But it would have been only 1,285 meters above sea level.
Quarterfinal matchups 👇🏽
The teams on the left will host the second legs.
Conmebol will still confirm the dates and kickoff times.
What is certain is that the matches will be played on the 8th, 9th or 10th (first leg) and the 15th, 16th or 17th (second leg).
The matchups will be:
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🇦🇷 Corinthians 🆚 Estudiantes 🇦🇷
🇦🇷 Flamengo 🆚 Independiente del Valle 🇪🇨
🇪🇨 LDU 🆚 Palmeiras 🇦🇷
🇦🇷 Platense 🆚 Fluminense 🇦🇷
👀 Semis
Winner of Corinthians x Estudiantes 🆚 Winner of Flamengo x Independiente del Valle
Winner of LDU x Palmeiras 🆚 Winner of Platense x Fluminense
Matches between October 14 and 22.
The one-off final will be on November 28.
Centenario Stadium in Montevideo will be the venue.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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