Group B of the 2026 Copa Libertadores delivered an exciting and tightly contested round of matches, with dramatic scorelines and a clear separation between the top contenders and the rest by the end of Matchday 6.
🏆 Group B Overview
The group featured four strong South American sides:
- Deportivo Cali (COL)
- Flamengo (BRA)
- Melgar (PER)
- River Plate (ARG)
After six rounds of play, the standings finished as follows:
- Deportivo Cali – 15 pts
- Flamengo – 8 pts
- Melgar – 7 pts
- River Plate – 3 pts
🔥 Group Recap
🥇 Deportivo Cali – Dominant Leaders
Deportivo Cali were the standout team of Group B, winning 5 of their 6 matches. They showed consistency both home and away, including key victories over Flamengo (2-1 away) and River Plate (3-1 away). Their attacking strength (15 goals scored) and ability to close out tight matches secured them top spot comfortably and qualification to the knockout stage.
🥈 Flamengo – Strong but Inconsistent
Flamengo finished second with 8 points, enough to advance but far from dominant. Their campaign included an important 3-2 win over Deportivo Cali at home and a solid victory against Melgar. However, inconsistency—especially dropping points in multiple matches—kept them well behind the group leaders.
🥉 Melgar – Competitive but Just Short
Melgar put together a respectable campaign, earning 7 points and staying in contention until the final rounds. They picked up key results, including a draw against River Plate and a win over Flamengo. However, narrow losses—especially against Deportivo Cali—ultimately cost them a top-two finish.
➡️ By finishing third, Melgar drops into the Copa Sudamericana 2026, entering the knockout round playoffs against a Sudamericana group runner-up.
❌ River Plate – Disappointing Campaign
River Plate endured a very poor group stage, failing to win a single match (0 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses). Despite some competitive performances, including draws against Flamengo and Melgar, they lacked finishing power and defensive solidity. With just 3 points, they finish bottom of the group and are eliminated from continental competition.
⚽ Final Thoughts
Group B showcased a clear hierarchy:
- Deportivo Cali proved to be one of the strongest teams in the tournament so far.
- Flamengo did enough to survive and advance.
- Melgar earned a second chance in the Sudamericana.
- River Plate fell far below expectations.
This group combined attacking football, close contests, and a decisive leader—setting the stage for an exciting knockout phase ahead.
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