Brazilian show at the Libertadores

247, with information from Agência Estado - Brazil has made a strong showing in the Libertadores Cup. The country's participation in the continental championship is quite significant this season, with five national teams among the 16 teams competing in the round of 16. These are: Grêmio, Santos, Cruzeiro, Internacional, and Fluminense. The action and excitement will begin next Tuesday with a high chance of classic matches, such as a possible Santos vs. Cruzeiro clash – should both teams reach the quarterfinals.

The team with the best record in the championship is Cruzeiro. First in Group 7, the Minas Gerais team finished with 16 points and will face Once Caldas of Colombia, second in Group 1. If the team advances, it will have a good chance of facing Santos. For this classic match between the two most notable Brazilian football teams of the moment to happen, Santos, who finished 2nd in Group 5 with 11 points, will have to overcome América of Mexico, first in Group 3 with 10 points.

Conmebol announced early Thursday afternoon the dates and times for the 16 matches of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16. The first Brazilian team to take the field, as expected, is Grêmio, who will face Universidad Católica at the Olímpico stadium at 7:30 PM next Tuesday.

The dates of the Inter and Grêmio matches, incidentally, could disrupt the progress of the Campeonato Gaúcho. This is because the Inter team visits Peñarol on Thursday at 19:30 PM. Grêmio plays its return match on Tuesday of the following week, at 20:15 PM, in Chile.

The schedule will have to be changed if Grêmio and Inter win against Cruzeiro and Juventude respectively this weekend and reach the final of the second round of the Campeonato Gaúcho. They cannot play on Saturday, two days after Inter visits Peñarol, nor on Sunday, two days before Grêmio plays in Chile.

Cruzeiro's two matches will be on Wednesdays, both at 21:50 PM, fulfilling the wishes of the channel that holds the broadcasting rights for the Libertadores Cup in Brazil. The first game is in Colombia. The second, at Arena do Jacaré.

Santos opens the match against América on Wednesday at 21:50 PM, with Santos as the home team. Then, they visit the Mexicans on Tuesday, the 3rd, at 22:45 PM Brasília time, which is 20:45 PM local time.

Fluminense plays its first match on Thursday at 21:50 PM against Libertad at Engenhão. Then, the following Wednesday, they visit the Paraguayan team at the same time.

Check the schedule

First leg games:

Grêmio vs. Universidad Católica - April 26th, Tuesday, at 19:30 PM.

Jaguares vs. Junior de Barranquilla - April 27th, Wednesday, at 19:30 PM.

Vélez Sarsfield vs. LDU - April 26th, Tuesday, at 21:50 PM.

Santos vs. América-MEX - April 27th, Wednesday, at 21:50 PM.

Once Caldas vs. Cruzeiro - April 27th, Wednesday, at 21:50 PM.

Estudiantes vs. Cerro Porteño - April 27th, Wednesday, at 19:30 PM.

Peñarol vs. Internacional - April 28th, Thursday, at 19:30 PM.

Fluminense vs. Libertad - April 28th, Thursday, at 21:50 PM.

Return matches:

Universidad Católica vs. Grêmio - May 3rd, Tuesday, at 20:15 PM.

América-MEX vs. Santos - May 3rd, Tuesday, at 22:45 PM.

LDU vs. Vélez Sarsfield - April 4th, Wednesday, at 19:30 PM.

Libertad vs. Fluminense - April 4th, Wednesday, at 21:50 PM.

Cruzeiro vs. Once Caldas - May 4th, Wednesday, at 21:50 PM.

Internacional vs. Peñarol - May 5th, Thursday, at 19:10 PM.

Cerro Porteño vs. Estudiantes - May 5th, Thursday, at 21:30 PM.

Junior de Barranquilla vs. Jaguares - May 5th, Thursday, at 23:50 PM.