When And Where Is The Match

Blooming and River Plate will face off on Wednesday, April 8, in Matchday 1 of the Copa Sudamericana 2026 Group H. The match will be played at the Estadio Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera Costas in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Kickoff is scheduled for 9:20 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast live on beIN Sports, marking River’s return to international competition in this tournament after several years.

Blooming Preview

Blooming come into this match full of confidence after a dominant start to their domestic season, highlighted by a 5-0 win over Guabirá in the opening round. The Bolivian side will look to carry that momentum into the international stage, where they aim to make home advantage count against a stronger opponent on paper.

Having qualified for this tournament after a solid domestic campaign, Blooming understand the importance of picking up points at home in what is expected to be a competitive group. Although Santa Cruz is not known for extreme altitude, it still presents a different environment for visiting teams.

River Plate Preview

River Plate arrive in Bolivia in excellent form. Since the arrival of Eduardo Coudet, the team has won all four matches played, showing clear improvement in both performance and confidence. They are coming off an emphatic win over Belgrano, extending their run to four consecutive victories, with nine goals scored and just one conceded, underlining their current balance.

Domestically, River remain near the top of the standings, fueling expectations for a team that returns to the Copa Sudamericana after more than a decade. However, there are some concerns, as key players like Marcos Acuña and Maximiliano Salas could miss the match, while others remain fitness doubts.

Key Players

For Blooming, the attacking players who led their recent big win will be crucial, as the team looks to capitalize on intensity and direct play. Juninho's ability to exploit spaces could be key against a possession-heavy opponent.

On the other side, River Plate will rely on their attacking stars, who have rediscovered their scoring touch under the new system. Defensively, players like Germán Pezzella could play a key role in maintaining structure in what could become an uncomfortable match.

Key Match Factors

Match context will be decisive. River Plate must adapt quickly to a different environment and rhythm that could disrupt their usual style.

Controlling possession will be one of River’s main objectives, while Blooming will likely push for a more physical and direct approach.

Efficiency in both boxes will also be crucial, especially in a game where chances may be limited.

Final Thoughts

On paper, River Plate are the favorites due to their quality, form and squad depth.

However, Blooming have the tools to compete at home and potentially deliver an early surprise.

Because in the Copa Sudamericana, opening matches can be tricky… and this one looks no different.

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