Palmeiras visits Cerro Porteño on August 19, 2026, at 7pm (Brasília time), at the La Nueva Olla stadium, in Asunción, Paraguay, for the second leg of the round of 16 of the Conmebol Libertadores. The place for the next phase is up for grabs.
The São Paulo team, despite leading the Brazilian Championship with 48 points, is going through a period of less favorable results, coming from a 3-2 defeat to Fluminense, at Maracanã. This result meant that the gap to second place in the table narrowed to just three points, adding pressure to performance in the Libertadores, where the team seeks to reaffirm its continental strength.
Cerro Porteño found its way back to victory in Clausura, the second stage of the Paraguayan Championship, by overcoming Club Sportivo San Lorenzo at home recently.
With a 1-1 draw in the first leg, any victory in Assunção guarantees qualification for the next stage. If the match ends in a new draw, the decision for the quarter-finals will be made through penalty kicks.
Details to follow the confrontation
For fans, the game will be broadcast on Paramount+.
Probable team formations on the field
Cerro Porteño Expected Lineups
The Paraguayan team, led by coach Ariel Holan, will have the return of Piris da Motta and César Bobadilla. However, defender Matías Pérez and attacking midfielder Cecilio Domínguez are out due to physical problems, with calf and thigh adductor injuries, respectively.
The likely lineup includes: Manuel Roffo; Ramírez, Velázquez, Merolla and Cañete; Domínguez, Morel, Piris da Motta and César Bobadilla; Iturbe and Vegetti.
Who is out of the match: Matías Pérez and Cecilio Domínguez (medical department).
Hanging players: none.
Palmeiras expected lineups
Without counting Andreas Pereira, who is suspended, coach Abel Ferreira has choices to make. Lucas Evangelista is one of the options to maintain the midfield profile, while Emiliano Martínez appears as an alternative with more defensive characteristics. Mauricio could get a chance in attack in Vitor Roque’s place. Alexander Barboza, who was spared due to a foot injury, and Khellven, recovered from a thigh muscle injury, return to the squad. Paulinho and Jefté remain unavailable.
The likely lineup is: Carlos Miguel; Murilo, Gustavo Gómez and Barboza; Marlon Freitas, Lucas Evangelista (or Emiliano Martínez), Allan and Piquerez; Arias, Mauricio (or Vitor Roque) and Flaco López.
Who is out of the game: Andreas Pereira (suspended), Jefté (recovering from knee surgery), Sosa and Paulinho (with a muscle injury in his thigh).
Hanging players: Arthur and Gustavo Gómez.
Match referee team
- Referee: Facundo Tello
- Assistant referee 1: Juan Belatti
- Assistant referee 2: Gabriel Chade
- Fourth referee: Nazareno Araza
- VAR: Hector Paletta
