The knockout stage starts now! All about the Libertadores last 16

The Libertadores knockout stage officially kicks off on Tuesday, 10th, paving the way for the pursuit of Eternal Glory. Six Brazilian clubs compete in the round of 16, with Flamengo and Cruzeiro locked in a rematch between two tournament champions.

The Argentine club Estudiantes faces Universidad Católica in a rematch from the 1969 semifinals, with Estudiantes advancing to the final. Universidad Católica dominated their away matches during the group stage, beating Flamengo, Boca Juniors, and Estudiantes.

Rosario Central will clash with Corinthians in a rematch from the 2000 round of 16, with Corinthians advancing on penalties. Cruzeiro faces Flamengo in a rematch between two champions. Flamengo did not sign reinforcements for this stage, while Cruzeiro has six new players in the squad, including left-back Gabriel Rojas and forwards João Costa and Lucho Rodríguez.

Colombian clubs Tolima and Independiente del Valle will face off in a matchup without a Brazilian or Argentine club. Independiente del Valle has the most shots and goals in this year's Libertadores edition. One Brazilian coach managed this match, but he was fired in July.

Brazilian clubs Mirassol and LDU will face each other in a rematch from the group stage, with both matches ending 2-0 in favor of the home team. Both clubs have played against each other 20 times in the Libertadores, making it one of the most frequent matchups in the tournament's history. Argentine clubs Platense and Coquimbo Unido face each other for the first time in Libertadores history, both having won their countries' national titles for the first time in 2025.

Brazilian clubs Fluminense and Independiente Rivadavia face each other in a rematch from the group stage, with Rivadavia having the most goals in the tournament.