Peñarol vs. Santa Fe – News and Probable Lineups

On Wednesday evening, Penarol will face off against Santa Fe in the Copa Libertadores.

The home team is unable to advance to the round of 16, but they can still qualify for the Copa Sudamericana knockout stage playoffs, while Santa Fe still has an opportunity to secure second place in Group E and progress to the next round.

Match overview

Penarol has struggled this season in the Copa Libertadores, having accumulated only three points from five matches in the tournament, placing them at the bottom of Group E with these points.

They can no longer reach the knockout phase, as Platense in second place has seven points, but a victory in this match would allow them to finish ahead of Santa Fe in third, thereby earning a place in the Copa Sudamericana knockout playoffs.

Diego Aguirre’s squad is coming into this match following a 2-0 victory against Defensor Sp. in the Liga AUF Uruguaia, and they also drew 1-1 with Corinthians in the Copa Libertadores in their previous outing.

In the earlier meeting on April 10, Penarol drew 1-1 with Santa Fe, and they are aware that a win in this fixture would secure them third place.

The Yellow and Blacks are five-time champions of the Copa Libertadores, with their latest triumph in the tournament occurring in 1987.

Santa Fe, on the other hand, achieved a 2-1 victory over Platense in their last Copa Libertadores match on May 20, bringing their total to five points from five games.

As the standings currently are, the Lions are set to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana knockout playoffs, but they can still aim for second place, with only two points separating them from Platense and one game remaining.

Santa Fe has yet to win the Copa Libertadores, although they have reached the semi-finals twice before, the last time being in 2013.

Los Cardenales made it to the second stage in 2025 and have previously claimed the Copa Sudamericana title in 2015.

Penarol Copa Libertadores form:

DLLDD

Penarol form (all competitions):

GOD

Santa Fe Copa Libertadores form:

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Santa Fe form (all competitions):

DOUBLE

Team News

Penarol will be missing Nicolas Fernandez, Leonardo Fernandez, Franco Gonzalez, Facundo Alvez, Javier Cabrera, and Nanuel Herrera due to injuries for this match.

Matias Arezo has been the primary goal scorer for the team this season, finding the net nine times in 21 appearances, and will lead the attack.

There is also likely to be a place in the forward line for Leandro Umpierrez.

For Santa Fe, Hugo Rodallega will again spearhead the attack, with the 40-year-old still demonstrating great form, having scored 16 times in 30 matches this season.

Nahuel Bustos has also been a strong contributor, netting five goals and providing four assists, and the 27-year-old will be featured in the attacking lineup.

Santa Fe has reported no injury concerns ahead of this match, which suggests that Omar Fernandez and Christian Mafla should both retain their starting roles.

Penarol probable starting XI:

Aguerre; Escobar, Gularte, Lemos, Olivera, Togni; Umpierrez, Jesus, Laxalt, Darias; Arezo

Santa Fe probable starting XI:

Mosquera; Puerta, Scarpeta, Moreno, Mafla; Toscano, Torres; Perlaza, Bustos, Fernandez; Rodallega

In their previous encounter, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, and a similar outcome is anticipated here, which would enable Santa Fe to secure the third position in the group.