River Plate and Independiente Santa Fe drew 0‑0 at Estadio El Campín, Bogotá, on 12 August 2026, in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. The match ended goalless, leaving both teams with the same score and no advantage for either side.
The second leg of the tie will be played on 19 August 2026 at River Plate’s home stadium. The match is scheduled for 19:00, and the original date had been 12 August, but it was moved to accommodate the competition’s calendar.
Midfielder Thiago Almada, former Botafogo, joined River Plate’s squad in the August transfer window. Almada made his debut for the club on Sunday 16 August, and the presentation was held before the fans in a welcome party. The player, who has been one of the club’s major targets for the season, showed his energy and skill in his first match with River.
The clash against Santa Fe has become a focal point for River supporters, who expect the second encounter to be decisive for advancing to the quarter‑finals. With the draw in the first leg, the second leg’s score will be crucial, and any advantage will translate into a goal advantage.
The Copa Sudamericana 2026 has seen eight Brazilian teams remain in the competition after the round of 16, but River Plate focuses on its rivalry with Santa Fe and on integrating Almada into the squad.
The club has also shown interest in strengthening its roster, and Almada’s arrival is seen as an important step in the season’s strategy.
