Cruzeiro and Flamengo meet in an all-Brazilian showdown in the 2026 Copa Libertadores Round of 16, with all the action available LIVE on beIN SPORTS from the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte.

Cruzeiro will look to make home-field advantage count before next week's second leg at the Maracanã, but standing in its way is the reigning Copa Libertadores champion and the team that produced the best record of the group stage.

Don't miss Cuzeiro vs Flamengo live in the Copa Libertadores on beIN SPORTS

Cruzeiro vs Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16

Cruzeiro is back in the knockout stage of the continental competition for the first time since 2019. The Belo Horizonte side advanced as runner-up in Group D, behind Universidad Católica.

Artur Jorge's team also enters the matchup in good form, having won four of its last six games while also advancing to the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.

However, Cruzeiro will have to deal with several absences.

Luis Sinisterra and Gabriel Pec are ruled out through injury, while Fagner and Lucas Romero must serve one-match suspensions after accumulating yellow cards.

Flamengo gets Lucas Paquetá back

Flamengo heads to the Mineirão after finishing first in Group A and posting the best record of the Copa Libertadores group stage, with five wins and one draw from six matches.

Leonardo Jardim will have Lucas Paquetá available again after the midfielder recovered from the injury he suffered with Brazil during the 2026 World Cup.

Léo Ortiz has also been cleared to return, while center back Vitão is unavailable due to a muscle injury in his left leg.

Cruzeiro vs Flamengo's previous Libertadores meeting

The Brazilian clubs have faced each other only once before in the Copa Libertadores.

That meeting also came in the Round of 16, in 2018. Cruzeiro won the first leg 2-0 at the Mineirão before losing 1-0 at the Maracanã, doing enough to advance to the quarterfinals.

Since then, Flamengo has dominated the head-to-head series. Over their last 10 meetings, Flamengo has recorded seven wins and two draws, with Cruzeiro winning only once.

Cruzeiro vs Flamengo predicted lineups

Cruzeiro: Otávio; William, Fabrício Bruno, João Marcelo, Gabriel Rojas; Matheus Henrique, Gerson, Keny Arroyo; Matheus Pereira, Bruno Rodríguez and Kaio Jorge.

Head coach: Artur Jorge.

Flamengo: Agustín Rossi; Guillermo Varela (or Emerson Royal), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro (or Ayrton Lucas); Erick Pulgar, Jorginho, Giorgian de Arrascaeta; Jorge Carrascal, Samuel Lino and Pedro.

Head coach: Leonardo Jardim.

Where to watch Cruzeiro vs Flamengo LIVE

The first leg between Cruzeiro and Flamengo in the 2026 Copa Libertadores Round of 16 takes place at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, with all the action available LIVE on beIN SPORTS.

The series will be decided next week when Flamengo hosts Cruzeiro at the Maracanã.

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