Fluminense and Independiente Rivadavia face off on August 11, 2026, starting at 7pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the first match of the round of 16 of the Conmebol Libertadores. The two teams have already met in the group stage of the competition, and are now looking for a direct place in the quarter-finals of the continental tournament.
The Rio team enters the field for this decisive phase under pressure, seeking greater consistency in their performance. After a series of games with little efficiency in attack, Fluminense also faces relevant absences, such as the absence of striker John Kennedy. Counting on the support of its fans at Maracanã and with athletes like Lucho Acosta and Hulk, the club aims to resume its good offensive football to guarantee a solid advantage at home and calm the fans’ spirits.
More on this story: Fluminense draws goalless with Rivadavia in the Libertadores and Hulk is booed on the field
On the other hand, Rivadavia is considered one of the great revelations of Argentine football in the 2026 season. In the Clausura Tournament, the team is in fourth place in its group. The team demonstrated its ability to challenge the Brazilians by defeating Fluminense at Maracanã in the group stage. With a strategy focused on intense marking and the agility of strikers Álex Arce and Sebastián Villa, the Argentine club travels to Rio de Janeiro with the aim of resisting the pressure and keeping the decision open for the second leg.
How to follow the confrontation
The live broadcast of the match will be available on ESPN channels and the Disney+ platform. There will be no real-time coverage by news portals.
Assembling teams for the game
Possible lineup for Fluminense
Focused on the crucial Libertadores duel, coach Luis Zubeldía chose to rest many of his starting players in the previous round of the Brasileirão, facing Botafogo. Athletes like Canobbio, Hércules, Martinelli and Lucho Acosta started the match on the bench. The expectation is that several of them will return to the main team for the game. In attack, the big change should be the entry of Hulk as a starter, replacing John Kennedy, who is recovering from a serious knee injury and should only return to play next season. On the defensive line, Thiago Silva, after recovering, is also considered for the match.
- Probable lineup:Fabio; Guga, Ignácio, Thiago Silva (or Igor Rabello) and Renê; Hércules, Martinelli and Lucho Acosta (or Ganso), Canobbio, Soteldo (or Savarino) and Hulk.
- Embezzlements:John Kennedy, Matheus Reis, Millán and Freytes (all injured).
- Hanging players:Guga and Lucho Acosta.
Composition of Independiente Rivadavia
The most relevant name and Independiente Rivadavia’s biggest bet is Álex Arce. The Paraguayan striker proved to be a real tormentor for Fluminense, scoring goals in the two previous clashes between the teams in the group stage. In addition to his positive record in the Libertadores, the number 9 arrives for the crucial clash in great shape, coming off an outstanding performance, finding the net twice in the 2-1 victory over Estudiantes de Río Cuarto in the Argentine Championship.
- Probable lineup:Bolcato; Osella, Leonard Costa, Studer and Elordi; Bottari, Ríos, Fernández and Atencio; Sartori and Arce.
- Embezzlements:Florentín (suspended).
Arbitration body defined
- Arbitrator:Cristian Garay (Chile)
- Assistant 1:Jose Retamal (Chile)
- Assistant 2:Miguel Rocha (Chile)
- Fourth referee:Diego Flores (Chile)
- VAR:Fernando Vejar (Chile)
- AVAR:Nicolas Millas (Chile)