---
title: "Santos faces Macará in Copa Sudamericana Round of 16"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/santos-vs-macara-copa-sudamericana-round-of-16-k9b4z
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: Sports
published: 2026-08-13T21:30:23.507Z
modified: 2026-08-14T01:45:05.886Z
language: en-IN
---

# Santos faces Macará in Copa Sudamericana Round of 16

Santos will host Macará in the first leg of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana Round of 16. Neymar has been confirmed to start for Santos in this crucial continental fixture.

## Key takeaways

- Santos and Macará will compete in the Round of 16 of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana.
- Neymar Jr. is confirmed to be in the starting lineup for Santos.
- The first leg will be held in Brazil, with the return match in Ecuador.
- Santos advanced to the Round of 16 after winning their playoff tie against Universidad Central.

## What Happened

Santos will face Macará in the first leg of the 2026 CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana Round of 16. The match is scheduled to take place at Vila Belmiro in Brazil, with the return leg to be held in Ambato, Ecuador, at an altitude of 2,500 metres.

## Background

Santos advanced to this stage by defeating Universidad Central with an 8-3 aggregate score in the Playoffs. The team, managed by Cuca, has a dual objective of revitalizing their season and pursuing the only major continental trophy they have never won. Despite a challenging start to their group stage campaign, Santos secured second place in Group D. Macará enters the Round of 16 as the unbeaten winners of Group A, having won four of their last five matches across all competitions, including an away victory against Barcelona SC.

## Key Facts

- Santos will play Macará in the Round of 16 of the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana.

- The first leg will be played at Vila Belmiro, Brazil, and the second leg in Ambato, Ecuador.

- Santos advanced by defeating Universidad Central 8-3 on aggregate in the Playoffs.

- Macará were the unbeaten winners of Group A.

- Neymar Jr. has been confirmed as a starter for Santos against Macará.

- Gabriel Barbosa is Santos' leading scorer in the competition this year with four goals.

- Gabriel Bontempo has emerged as a breakout player for Santos with three goals.

- Santos has never lost to Venezuelan opposition in CONMEBOL competitions.

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/santos-vs-macara-copa-sudamericana-round-of-16-k9b4z
Reported from: Multiple Sources