River Plate Hosts Santa Fe in Copa Sudamericana Rematch

River Plate and Independiente Santa Fe clash on August 26, 2026, at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires to decide their Copa Sudamericana round of 16 tie after a goalless first leg in Bogota. The winner of the matchup advances to the quarterfinals to face Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, which eliminated Paraguay's Olimpia in the previous stage of the tournament. Manager Eduardo Coudet faces immense pressure to secure a result, having navigated a difficult stretch in the domestic league where River Plate managed just one victory across six appearances in the Torneo Clausura.

"If I see that results do not start coming, I will not do harm to River," said Eduardo Coudet, River Plate manager.

The Argentine side features the return of key starters Gonzalo Montiel, Marcos Acuña, and Sebastian Driussi, who missed the initial fixture due to physical ailments before recovering for the decisive second leg. "If I cannot turn this around quickly, I will give everyone a hug and go home," said Eduardo Coudet, River Plate manager.

Santa Fe enters the contest with several injury absences, including goalkeeper Andres Mosquera Marmolejo out with a thigh strain, alongside key outfield players Kevin Balanta, Yilmar Velasquez, and Omar Fernandez Frasica. "We are capable of qualifying," said Pablo Repetto, Independiente Santa Fe manager.

Weimar Asprilla takes over starting duties in goal for the Colombian squad, which seeks its first historical victory against River Plate on Argentine soil after recording one draw and three defeats in four previous official visits. "We have great hope of playing a good match," said Pablo Repetto, Independiente Santa Fe manager. Referee Esteban Ostojich of Uruguay oversees the encounter alongside assistant referees Nicolas Taran and Carlos Barreiro, with Leodan Gonzalez assigned to video assistant referee operations.