Flamengo host Independiente del Valle on Thursday, September 17, in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores 2026 quarterfinal at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. Kickoff is 7:30 PM CT. The defending champions lead 2-0 from last week’s first leg in Quito; the winner faces Estudiantes de La Plata in the semifinals. Here we will cover the different online live stream and TV channel viewing options for the Flamengo vs Independiente del Valle match.
How to Watch Flamengo vs Independiente del Valle
The Flamengo vs Independiente del Valle match kicks off at 7:30 PM CT on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro (8:30 PM Eastern, 6:30 PM Mexico City, 9:30 PM local time in Rio).
In the United States, the match airs on beIN Sports and beIN Sports en Español, with streaming on beIN Sports Connect, the free beIN Sports XTRA channel, and fuboTV. In Mexico, ESPN 2 carries the match on television and Disney+ Premium streams it. In Brazil, ESPN and Disney+ have the match.
The Flamengo vs Independiente del Valle match will be broadcast at 7:30 PM CT:
TV Channel: USA: beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Español; Mexico: ESPN 2; Brazil: ESPN.
Online Live Stream: USA: beIN Sports Connect, beIN Sports XTRA, fuboTV; Mexico: Disney+ Premium; Brazil: Disney+.
Our guide How to Watch Liga MX and Mexico Soccer in the USA (2026) has the full 2026 rundown of where every competition lives on US television.
Recent Form
Flamengo arrive on a five-game winning run: 2-1 over Corinthians on September 13, 2-0 at Independiente del Valle on September 10, 1-0 at Remo on September 6, 2-0 over Mirassol on September 2, and 3-0 over Botafogo on August 30. That is 10 goals scored and one conceded. The Rio club also lead the Brasileirão with 57 points (17-6-4) and are unbeaten through nine Libertadores matches, with a perfect 4-0-0 home record in this edition (10 scored, two conceded). The defending champions are chasing a fifth title.
Independiente del Valle’s last five read win, loss, win, loss, draw: 3-2 at Libertad Loja on September 13, 0-2 at home to Flamengo on September 10, a home win over Macará on September 5, a loss at Barcelona SC on September 2, and a home draw with Universidad Católica Quito on August 29. On the road in the Libertadores they are 2-1-1, including a round-of-16 win at Deportes Tolima. The momentum is clearly with Flamengo.
Team News
Flamengo coach Leonardo Jardim is without Alex Sandro (right calf pain) and Evertton Araújo (left thigh muscle injury). Everton Cebolinha had his contract terminated and signed with Santos, while Lorran was dropped to the under-20 squad.
Gonzalo Plata is available again after his Dynamo Moscow move collapsed, and Vitão and De La Cruz have returned; new signings Joaquín Freitas and Anthony Valencia are also registered. Bruno Henrique’s goal in Quito was his 23rd in the Libertadores for Flamengo and his 120th for the club; he also nodded the 89th-minute winner against Corinthians. Pedro has 24 goals in all competitions in 2026, with two goals and two assists in this Libertadores.
For Independiente del Valle, striker Carlos González is the big doubt. He left the first leg at halftime with posterior thigh pain and missed the league win at Libertad Loja. Six of his seven Libertadores goals this year have been headers, so his aerial presence would be a major loss; Djorkaeff Reasco, who replaced him in Quito, has 10 goals in 30 games this year. Jean Arroyo (tibia and fibula fracture) and Juan Cazares (inner ligament injury) remain out.
Predicted Lineups
- Flamengo (predicted): Agustín Rossi; Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho, Giorgian de Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Jorge Carrascal, Bruno Henrique.
- Independiente del Valle (predicted): Aldair Quintana; Daykol Romero, Mateo Carabajal, Richard Schunke, Layan Loor; Jordy Alcívar, Hugo Quintana, Junior Sornoza; Arón Rodríguez, Emerson Pata, Carlos González (doubt; Djorkaeff Reasco if he does not make it).
Match Preview: What to Watch
Flamengo go through with a win, a draw, or a one-goal defeat; a two-goal IDV win forces penalties, and the Ecuadorians need three to advance outright. There is no away-goals rule. The prize is set: Estudiantes de La Plata await in the semifinals after beating Corinthians 2-1 on aggregate.
The history favors the hosts: this is the eighth meeting, Flamengo have four wins to IDV’s two with one draw, and Flamengo have won all three games at the Maracanã. IDV coach Joaquín Papa is leaning on the Quito memory instead: “As long as there is still a chance, we will try to compete, we will try to turn the tie around. We will fight,” he said (translated from Portuguese).
The key battle is IDV’s aerial game against Flamengo’s center-backs. Without González, IDV’s 68 percent possession in Quito produced almost nothing on target, and Flamengo’s opener came from a counterattack. If IDV push up early, Samuel Lino and Bruno Henrique will find the space they exploited in the first leg. Set pieces matter too: Léo Pereira’s clincher came from a corner.
Prediction
Prediction: Flamengo 2-1 Independiente del Valle. IDV must open up, and Flamengo’s counterattack should see the holders through.
