It wasn’t a good evening for Argentine football clubs on the international stage as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana entered their respective knockout stages on Tuesday. The two top club competitions in South American football will feature nine Argentine teams across the two cups’ knockout stage, but so far none have taken a win.

The most disappointing was undoubtedly Racing Club de Avellaneda. As 2024 Copa Sudamericana winners, La Academia are expected to do well in this year’s Copa Libertadores. Having largely kept the core of players that took them to glory last year, including star striker Adrián Martínez. They also made a number of key signings in the transfer window, most notably former Argentine national team starter Marcos Rojo from Boca Juniors.

However, despite the high hopes, Racing fell short. A 1-0 away defeat to Uruguay’s Peñarol in a tightly contested and physical game at the Campeón del Siglo stadium. The goal came in the 77th minute, when striker Matías Arezo served up a ball into the six-yard box which teammate David Terans headed in as Racing goalkeeper Gabriel Arias missed the interception. 

“They dragged us to play their game,” said Racing head coach Gustavo Costas after the match. “It was a poor game where neither team deserved the win.”

Costas highlighted the poor condition of the pitch as one of the reasons the game was so physical, but admitted it was a detriment to both teams.

“It’ll be a different game in Avellaneda. We have our chance, in front of our fans. We’re still alive in this one.”

The game will kick off at 9:30 p.m. at Racing’s President Perón stadium on Tuesday August 19.

Velez takes hard-fought tie

Another of Argentina’s recent champions who took on to the field on Tuesday were Vélez Sarsfield, who matched up against Brazil’s Fortaleza. The Fortín, winners of the 2024 Liga Profesional and recently the 2024 Supercopa Internacional, are back in the competition for the first time since 2022, when they reached the semifinals.

It proved another fractious affair for both clubs, with Fortaleza controlling most of the ball but Vélez having the better chances. The Fortín could’ve taken the lead as early as the ninth minute, when a counter attack set up by winger Maher Carrizo left striker Braian Romero unmarked in front of the goal, but his shot was saved by Fortaleza keeper Helton Leite. The 88th minute sending off of Brazilian midfielder Matheus Rossetto gave Vélez some hope on the wing, but it proved too little too late.

Head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto said his team was “organized and focused” on the game and insisted he’s not concerned about goalscoring problems, despite the team being goalless since July. 

“When the team feels the need to win to progress, it’ll do so,” he added. “We’ll look to get it done on our pitch.”

The two will meet again on Tuesday August 19, with the match set to kick off at 7 p.m. in Vélez’ José Amalfitani stadium

Trouble for Huracán

Huracán was the only of the Argentine teams to play for the Copa Sudamericana on Tuesday. They fought Colombian outfit Once Caldas, but will have to settle the series at home after losing 1-0 in Manizales.

El Globo goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez was the star performer, saving two one-on-ones from striker Michael Barrios and stopped a header from edge of the six-yard box by defender Juan David Cuesta.

However, there was little he could do when the referee blew a penalty for Once Caldas in the 53rd minute. Striker Dayro Moreno converted without hesitation, securing the win for the Colombians. 

The two will meet again next Tuesday, at 7 p.m. at Huracan’s Tomás A. Ducó stadium.

Which Argentine teams are yet to play in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana?

Five teams are yet to make their knockout stage debut across both competitions.

In the Libertadores, Estudiantes will meet up with Paraguay’s Cerro Porteño away on Wednesday, kicking off at 7 p.m. River will also be travelling to Paraguay, to face Libertad on Thursday at 9:30 p.m.

In the Copa Sudamericana, Independiente will visit Universidad de Chile in Santiago on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. Meanwhile Mendoza’s Godoy Cruz will face off against Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro away on Thursday, at 7 p.m.Central Córdoba (Santiago del Estero) and Lanús will be the only all-Argentine duel, kicking off on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero.