Confirmed! Flamengo top Libertadores group stage; see possible foes

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·28 May 2026

Confirmed! Flamengo top Libertadores group stage; see possible foes

Possible threats to Flamengo failed to get the necessary results

After beating Cusco (PER) on Tuesday (26), Flamengo moved up to 16 points and came close to securing the best overall campaign in the Copa Libertadores. The position was confirmed this Wednesday (27), after the results of Rosario Central (ARG) and Independiente Rivadavia (ARG).

Both teams had a chance to reach 16 points. However, Rosario Central lost to Del Valle (ARG) and stayed on 13. Independiente Rivadavia, meanwhile, beat Bolívar (BOL) 3-1 to move up to 16. However, the Most Beloved had the better goal difference. So, Flamengo sealed the best campaign and, if they make it to the semifinals of the Libertadores, they will always play the second legs at the Maracanã.

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WHO ARE FLAMENGO'S POSSIBLE OPPONENTS?

Flamengo will find out their round-of-16 opponent next Friday (29), in the draw to be held at Conmebol headquarters in Luque, Paraguay. The Rubro-Negro could face any runner-up. Some are already confirmed, while the others will only be known after the rest of the round is completed this Thursday (28).

CONFIRMED RUNNERS-UP Estudiantes (ARG) Deportes Tolima (COL) Fluminense Platense (ARG) Mirassol Rosario Central POSSIBLE RUNNERS-UP GROUP D Universidad Católica (CHI), Cruzeiro or Boca Juniors (ARG) GROUP F Cerro Porteño (PAR), Palmeiras or Sporting Cristal (PER)

WHAT DOES LEONARDO JARDIM THINK ABOUT DECIDING AT HOME, AFTER ALL?

After beating Cusco, Leonardo Jardim was asked about the possibility of deciding all the knockout ties at home. However, the coach preferred to play it down and did not give the issue much importance. After all, the value of playing the clashes at the Maracanã can only be measured if the result is positive.

— In football, people look a lot at the final result when it matters. When it doesn’t matter, they don’t look at it, as you didn’t now. The best campaign was in 2022, the other was in 1984. It’s not a title, but whenever there is a (positive) group-stage campaign, it will be remembered — Leonardo Jardim began.

— The best campaign may be the one in 2026, with this group of players.” That’s all. It’s not a result that gives us a title or a trophy, but it is always a milestone for a campaign to be, if not the best, among the best in the club’s history — added the Flamengo coach in a press conference on Tuesday (26).

WHAT TIME WILL THE LIBERTADORES ROUND-OF-16 DRAW TAKE PLACE?

Conmebol scheduled the Copa Libertadores draw for 12 p.m. (Brasília time) on Friday (29). However, before that, the entity will hold activities related to the Copa Sudamericana. In other words, Flamengo's opponent in the international knockout stage should be revealed around 1 p.m. The round-of-16 matches will only take place in August.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.