Key Takeaways: Quarterfinals Second Leg Matches of 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup | OneFootball

MIAMI – Following the Second Leg matches in the Round of 16 of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, it’s time to review the Key Takeaways from the eighth week of the competition.

Champions Cup action returns to Estadio Banorte

The Second Leg encounter between Club América and Nashville SC saw the Concacaf Champions Cup return to the iconic Estadio Banorte (formerly Estadio Azteca) in Mexico City for the first time since 2024.

A total of 31 matches has taken place at Estadio Banorte in tournament history, including seven matches in Finals, with a total of 94 goals being scored in the process.  

Historic night as Nashville SC becomes first U.S. club to win at Estadio Banorte

Nashville SC earned a 1-nil victory on the road at Estadio Banorte over América, with captain Hany Mukhtar scoring the series-winning goal, to advance to the Semifinals for the first time in its history. 

The historic win marked a milestone for U.S. clubs, as Nashville SC became the first MLS side to record a victory at Estadio Banorte in Champions Cup history.

Los Angeles FC knock out the defending champion

Los Angeles FC secured a 1-1 draw on the road in the Second Leg against defending champion Cruz Azul to claim the series 4-1 on aggregate. Both goals were scored from the penalty spot, with Cruz Azul’s Gabriel Fernández opening the scoring in the 18’, and Denis Bouanga equalizing for LAFC in the 90’+7’.  

Tigres UANL reach back-to-back Semifinals 

After securing a 2-nil win in the First Leg, Tigres UANL fell 3-1 in its visit to Seattle Sounders FC, with the aggregate tied at 3-3 and the Liga MX powerhouse advancing to Semifinals on away goals. 

The Second Leg encounter saw Brazilian defender Joaquim notch the valuable strike on the road which ultimately sealed a Semifinals for Los Felinos. Tigres has reached the Semifinals for the eighth time in tournament history.

Clinical Paulinho leads Toluca to Semifinals, now joint-top scorer of 2026 edition 

Deportivo Toluca FC’s 3-nil victory over LA Galaxy in California secured a Semifinals berth for the reigning Liga MX winners, clinching the series 7-2 on aggregate. 

Paulinho was in clinical form over both legs. He bagged a brace in the Second Leg to take his tally to five in the Quarterfinals series, after scoring a hat-trick in the First Leg. 

The brace also raised the Portuguese forward’s tally to six this 2026 edition, tying Gabriel Pec in the race for the Top Scorer Award. With his six goals, Paulinho is now third among Toluca’s all-time scorers in the history of the Champions Cup.