The halfway point of the Copa Libertadores 2026 group stage is here, and the competition is already heating up. Let's break down the action so far, starting with Group A—a group that's delivering drama, standout performances, and a clear favorite.
Group A brings together Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo, Argentine giants Estudiantes, Colombia's Independiente Medellín, and Peruvian side Cusco. As defending champions, Flamengo have lived up to the hype, winning two of their first three matches with an impressive goal tally of seven scored and just two conceded. They opened their campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory away at altitude against Cusco, followed by a dominant 4-1 thrashing of Independiente Medellín at home. Their most recent outing saw them grind out a hard-fought point on the road against a resilient Estudiantes side.
Estudiantes have quietly put together a solid campaign, remaining undefeated with one win and two draws. They earned a valuable point in Colombia against Independiente Medellín before securing a 2-1 home win over Cusco. That draw with Flamengo keeps them second in the table, setting up a tight race for the knockout spots.
Independiente Medellín sit third with one win, one draw, and one loss. Their sole victory came in dramatic fashion—a 1-0 home win over Cusco, courtesy of an 87th-minute strike from Francisco Fydriszewski. For Cusco, however, it's been a tough start: three losses from three, with just one goal scored and five conceded. They'll need a major turnaround in the second half to challenge for even a Copa Sudamericana spot.
Flamengo's veteran Bruno Henrique, now 35, has been a standout performer. He opened his account with a goal against Cusco, then added a goal and an assist in the win over Independiente Medellín, and followed up with another assist for Luis Araújo in the 1-1 draw with Estudiantes. His experience and output are proving invaluable.
Meanwhile, one of the most open and exciting groups features Tolima, Nacional, Universitario, and Coquimbo. Every team has one win, one draw, and one loss—creating a logjam where goal difference is the only separator. Tolima currently lead with a +1 goal difference, while Nacional and Universitario are hot on their heels. This group is shaping up to be a nail-biter that could go right down to the final matchday.
As the group stage resumes, all eyes are on whether Flamengo can maintain their dominance, whether Cusco can find their footing, and which team will emerge from that tightly contested group. For fans and players alike, the second half promises plenty of thrills.