Who are the favorites to advance to the semifinals in the Libertadores?

Peñarol and Fluminense enter the decisive week of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals with a one-goal advantage, while the other six teams prepare to settle tight and seemingly balanced series.

The 2023 Libertadores champion secured a goal in the 87th minute of the match at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã Stadium. In that same venue, Peñarol defeated Flamengo, Fluminense's fiercest rival.

The other Brazilian teams in the 65th edition, Botafogo and Sao Paulo, finished with a goalless draw at the Nilton Santos Stadium.

Colo Colo and River Plate tied 1-1 in Santiago.

Another Monumental showdown

River Plate, champions in 1986, 1996, 2015, and 2018, drew 1-1 at the Monumental in Chile against Colo Colo, the 1991 champion. Now, they await the chance to seal their fate at another Monumental stadium, this time in Buenos Aires.

The return of Marcelo Gallardo to the "Millonarios" bench, combined with last Saturday's emphatic win over Boca Juniors, has boosted River Plate's morale.

However, Colo Colo believes the balanced match in Santiago is a sign of what they can do against the Argentine club.

Arturo Vidal Sparks Controversy Ahead of River Plate Clash with Bold Remarks

The champion: One Brazilian team stays, another leaves

After Fluminense's agonizing victory last Wednesday, their challenge is now to survive Atlético Mineiro's fortress.

Fluminense faces the tournament with issues at home, as they sit 18th out of 20 teams and are threatened with relegation to the second division.

Atlético Mineiro, less troubled in the local tournament, is in 10th place in the Brasileirão and doesn't consider the 1-0 loss in Rio de Janeiro a bad result.

Fluminense Secures Dramatic Win Against Mineiro in the Copa Libertadores

Too close to call

Botafogo and Sao Paulo couldn’t break the deadlock in the first leg at Nilton Santos Stadium and now face each other this Wednesday at Morumbi.

The São Paulo club won the Libertadores in 1992, 1993, and 2005, while Garrincha and Zagallo's team seeks its first title.

Currently, Botafogo leads the Brazilian league, while São Paulo sits fifth. However, this doesn’t guarantee that league positions will determine who advances to the semifinals.

Botafogo Draws with São Paulo in Copa Libertadores Quarterfinals

Carbonero's faith vs. the Vulture’s urgency

The last time Peñarol, known as the Carbonero, reached the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals was in 2011. They made it to the final under Diego Aguirre's leadership but lost to Santos, where Neymar was rising to prominence.

The five-time Libertadores champion (1960, 1961, 1966, 1982, and 1987) took three points from Rio de Janeiro last Thursday, plunging Flamengo, the "Red-Black Vulture," into a crisis, with fans turning on coach Tite.

These aren't the best times for Flamengo, a team that has played in three of the last five finals, winning the tournament in 2019 and 2022 and becoming three-time champions.

Peñarol Surprise and Take The Lead at The Maracanã against Flamengo