Brazil's Cruzeiro won 1-0 against Ecuador's Barcelona in the first match of Group D of the Copa Libertadores 2026. The game took place on Tuesday at the Monumental Banco Pichincha stadium in Quito. The only goal of the match came in the 7th minute of the second half, scored by midfielder Matheus Pereira. With this victory, the blue-shirted team secured second place in Group D with three points, trailing Boca. Barcelona, on the other hand, is in fourth place with no points. In another match, Ecuador's Liga de Quito won 1-0 away against Bolivia's Always Ready. Brazilian Fluminense could not get past a goalless draw against Venezuela's Deportivo La Guaira. At the beginning of the match, Barcelona created a dangerous attack, but striker Lucas Cano's shot was saved by goalkeeper Matheus Cunha. In the 7th minute of the second half, a good cross from the right by full-back Fagner allowed Matheus Pereira to head the ball into the right corner of the net for the final 1-0 score. With five minutes left, a cross from the left found striker Miguel Parrales at the far post, but his header was saved by Cunha. In the high altitude of La Paz, Bolivia's Always Ready had their first dangerous chance in the 10th minute, but a low shot hit the left post. The only goal of the match came in the 3rd minute of added time in the second half, when striker Michael Estrada dribbled down the right and found midfielder Gabriel Villamil in the middle of the area, who scored softly underneath the goalkeeper Alain Baroja, sealing the win for the Ecuadorian team, which leads Group G with three points. In their visit to the UCV Olympic Stadium in Caracas, Fluminense could not get past a goalless draw against Deportivo La Guaira. In a result that was as surprising as it was disappointing for the team coached by Argentine Luis Zubeldía, the most important chance for the Brazilian side came in the 2nd minute of added time in the first half. Uruguayan Agustín Canobbio made a run down the left and played a reverse pass to striker John Kennedy, who shot on the first touch and was about to celebrate, but an incredible save by goalkeeper Cristopher Varela deflected the ball over the crossbar.
