Millonarios vs. O’Higgins – News and Probable Lineups

On Tuesday, May 26, at 13:00, Millonarios will face O’Higgins in the sixth and final Group C match of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana. This pivotal clash will occur in Bogota as both teams vie for a spot in the next round.

Millonarios is entering this match positioned second in the group with eight points and can secure advancement with just a draw. Conversely, O’Higgins sits in third place with seven points and must achieve victory to maintain their chances of moving forward.

Match overview

Millonarios approaches this critical final Group C match knowing that their future is in their own hands.

Currently, Fabian Bustos’s squad is in second place, only one point behind leaders Sao Paulo, meaning a win could not only assure progression but might also see the Colombian team claim the top spot in the group, depending on results from other matches.

Millonarios strengthened their qualification chances with a gritty 1-1 draw against Sao Paulo in their last match at the Morumbi. After conceding a goal from Luciano early on, Millonarios responded effectively, equalizing in the 80th minute thanks to Jorge Hurtado, thereby securing a vital point in Brazil.

This result has increased the positive momentum for the Bogota-based club, who understand that even just a draw against O’Higgins would suffice to ensure a playoff position, while a full three points could grant automatic passage to the next phase based on the outcome of Sao Paulo’s game against Boston River.

Rodrigo Contreras stands out as the primary attacking threat for the home side, with four goals scored throughout the competition, including the preliminary rounds. Although the striker missed a late penalty against Sao Paulo, he showcased another influential performance and remains central to Millonarios’ offensive endeavors.

Domestically and on the continental stage, Millonarios are in favorable form, having drawn 2-2 with Boyaca Chico in the Copa BetPlay, shared points with Sao Paulo in the Sudamericana, narrowly defeated Patriotas 3-2, won against Llaneros 1-0, and achieved a commendable 4-2 away win over Boston River.

Over their last 28 matches, Millonarios has achieved 12 victories, translating to a 43 percent success rate. In these fixtures, both teams have found the back of the net 61 percent of the time, while 57 percent have featured over 2.5 goals.

On the other hand, O’Higgins heads to Bogota needing a win after dropping to third place with seven points, following a critical 3-2 defeat at Boston River in Uruguay.

Despite this setback, El Capo de Provincia still has a shot at qualification; a victory against Millonarios would elevate the Chilean team above their rivals in the standings, allowing them to advance.

The loss in Uruguay was particularly damaging, as it represented Boston River’s first victory of the group stage even though the hosts had minimal chances of progressing, leaving O’Higgins with no room for errors leading into the final round.

Arnaldo Castillo has emerged as a key attacking option for the visitors, netting twice in five Sudamericana appearances, including one goal in O’Higgins’ 2-0 win over Millonarios during the opening round.

However, consistency has been elusive for Lucas Bovaglio’s team in recent weeks; O’Higgins has faced defeats against Boston River and Universidad de Concepcion, although they did secure a 2-1 win against Everton in the Copa de la Liga, along with draws against Sao Paulo and Deportes Limache.

The visitors have managed to win 13 out of their last 26 encounters, boasting a 50 percent win rate, with both teams scoring in half of those contests and 42 percent featuring more than 2.5 goals.

Team News

Millonarios heads into the match with a clear edge in both the league standings and the qualification scenario, as the Colombian club could secure advancement with a draw. A victory might even see them top the group if Sao Paulo does not triumph against Boston River.

Fabian Bustos’s squad will be heavily reliant on Rodrigo Contreras’ offensive prowess and the confidence they have accumulated from a strong run that has resulted in three wins and two draws in their last five matches.

Meanwhile, O’Higgins enters Bogota with no leeway for error after letting an excellent chance slip through their fingers in the 3-2 loss to Boston River, requiring a win to stay in contention for qualification.

El Capo de Provincia must regain the defensive reliability and attacking effectiveness that secured their 2-0 victory over Millonarios on the first matchday to handle the pressures of this crucial matchup.

Millonarios possible starting lineup:

Diego Novoa Andres Llinas, Edgar Elizalde, Jorge Arias, Sebastian Valencia; Sebastian del Castillo Viveros, Rodrigo Urena, David Mackalister Silva, Mateo Garcia; Rodrigo Contreras, Leo Castro

O’Higgins possible starting lineup:

Omar Carabali; Felipe Faundez, Nicolas Garrido, Luis Pavez, Leandro Diaz; Martin Maturana, Felipe Ogaz, Juan Leiva; Francisco Gonzalez, Arnaldo Castillo, Martin Sarrafiore

Millonarios enters this crucial fixture benefiting from home advantage, a superior position in the standings, and several avenues for advancement. Their performance against Sao Paulo showcased their ability to compete even in tough environments.

O’Higgins has already demonstrated their capability to beat Millonarios earlier in the tournament, yet the Chilean team comes under significant pressure following their damaging defeat to Boston River. This need to secure a win could leave them vulnerable defensively.

Given the context, recent performance, and Millonarios’ strength in Bogota, the Colombian side appears slightly better positioned to claim victory and achieve progression in the Copa Sudamericana.