Montevideo (AFP) – Flamengo, defending champion, and Palmeiras, great candidate for the title, gave ground this Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores 2026 by drawing as visitors, on a third date of the group stage that reduced their margin of dominance, while Platense and Mirassol continued to attract the attention of the continent.

First modification: 04/30/2026 - 06:25

In La Plata, Mengão tied 1-1 with Estudiantes in Group A, in a demanding match that repeated the precedent between both of them from Libertadores 2025, when the Brazilian club eliminated Pincha on penalties in the quarterfinals.

Flamengo struck first in the 33rd minute in an elaborate play from the left, with Bruno Henrique overflowing and assisting Luiz Araújo, who finished without opposition. Estudiantes responded at 55', when Guido Carrillo pushed a rebound from goalkeeper Agustín Rossi with his body, in an action reviewed and validated by the VAR.

Despite the tie, the good income keeps the Portuguese team Leo Jardim at the top of the key with 7 points, followed by Estudiantes with 5.

The third date of this zone will be completed on Thursday in Medellín when the Colombian Independiente Medellín (1) receives the visit of the Peruvian Cusco FC (0).

Beyond the result, Flamengo left with a greater concern: the injury of Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta, diagnosed with a clavicle fracture less than two months before the World Cup in North America.

The serious injury occurred early, at 17 minutes, after a cross by Ezequiel Piovi that ended with the Uruguayan brain falling on his right shoulder.

The blow, despite not being violent, was decisive. He was unable to continue on the court and was transferred to a medical center in La Plata where the fracture was confirmed.

"It hurts us to leave with this news about a teammate. Let's hope he recovers soon because he is very excited about the World Cup and is a valuable player for his team," goalkeeper Agustín Rossi said at the end of the match.

Palmeiras and its bad fortune

Palmeiras' 1-1 draw against Cerro Porteño in Asunción, in Group F, is explained by its lack of efficiency: it generated enough to win with a margin, but ended up paying dearly for wasted opportunities.

At 32 minutes, Verdão opened the scoring with Colombian Jhon Arias, who scored after an excellent pass from Allan, the protagonist of an outstanding individual maneuver on the right wing before entering the area.

At 72 minutes, the Paraguayan Ciclón reached equality with an own goal from Carlos Miguel, after a long shot from Juan Iturbe crashed into the left post and, on the rebound, hit the goalkeeper's back before crossing the penalty line.

"We are playing against a team that is a candidate to win the Libertadores," commented Ciclón coach, Argentine Ariel Holan. "The effort was titanic to sustain the match and the award is deserved."

Group F is led by the Peruvian Sporting Cristal with 6 points, followed by Palmeiras (5), Cerro Porteño (4) and the Colombian Junior de Barranquilla (1).

Victories that excite

In contrast to the heavyweights of the continent, debutants Platense and Mirassol struck again in the Libertadores: they added their second victory and consolidated a historic debut that is making noise on the continent.

El Calamar reached 6 points in Group E after three games played, after a solid 2-1 victory over the Colombian Independiente Santa Fe in Vicente López (northern area of ​​Buenos Aires).

Tomás Nasif, at 57 minutes, and Mateo Mendía (63') were in charge of the goals for the brown team. The Uruguayan Franco Fagúndez achieved the discount for the Bogotá cardinal at 90+4'.

"We were effective in the rival goal, maximum tension, although we should have finished a little calmer, with a result more in line with what the game was," said Platense coach Walter Zunino.

The third date of this key will be completed on Thursday in Sao Paulo when Corinthians (6) and Peñarol (1) face each other.

In Mirassol (interior of Sao Paulo), the local Brazilian team won with authority 2-0 against the Bolivian Always Ready in Group G, which now presents a close fight with three teams tied at the top with 6 points.

León opened the scoring very early, at 10 minutes, thanks to Carlos Eduardo, and in the final stretch, Alesson (80') sealed the story of the match.

With this result, the area is red hot, since both Liga de Quito and Lanús also have 6 units, while the Bolivian team is bottom with no points.

Parity also dominates Group D, where three teams share the lead with six points after the 2-1 victory of the Universidad Católica de Chile against Barcelona of Ecuador in Guayaquil, a result that adjusted the fight for classification to the round of 16 to the maximum.

Fernando Zampedri (17') and Clemente Montes (22) were in charge of the Crusaders' goals. Milton Céliz (79') scored a goal for El Torero.

With three dates played, Católica, Boca Juniors and Cruzeiro lead the area with 6 points, while Barcelona sinks without adding points and closes the classification.

© 2026 AFP

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