LIVE! Deportes Tolima vs. Independiente del Valle in the 2026 Copa Libertadores Round of 16

Deportes Tolima and Independiente del Valle face off at the Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro in Ibagué in the first leg of the 2026 Copa Libertadores Round of 16, in a tie that can finally get underway after being postponed for one week.

The Colombian side will look to take advantage of a home record that has been virtually perfect so far in the tournament, while the Ecuadorians arrive backed by a long unbeaten run and with the goal of securing a positive result before deciding the tie at home.

📺 Don’t miss Deportes Tolima vs. Independiente del Valle in the Copa Libertadores, LIVE on beIN SPORTS starting at 8:20 PM ET

Tolima wants to turn Ibagué into its fortress

El Pijao’s return to the Round of 16 will take place at the Manuel Murillo Toro, where the team has built one of its biggest strengths during this Copa Libertadores campaign.

Tolima won all three of its home matches in the current edition of the tournament and, even more importantly, did not concede a single goal in those games, a record that boosts confidence ahead of a knockout tie in which every detail could prove decisive.

The Colombian side is playing at this stage for only the second time in its history. Its previous appearance came in 2022, when Flamengo ended its run, so it now has another opportunity to fight for a place among the eight best teams on the continent.

Independiente del Valle arrives full of confidence

While Tolima will rely on its strength at home, Independiente del Valle arrives in Colombia riding a strong run of form.

The Ecuadorian side is unbeaten in 13 consecutive matches across all competitions, a streak that began during the closing stages of the Libertadores group phase.

Its most recent match ended in a 3-2 victory over Delfín, following wins against Liga de Quito, Deportivo Cuenca and Malta. In addition, the team has shown remarkable consistency throughout the Ecuadorian season, establishing itself as one of the strongest sides in the country.

Independiente del Valle also has experience in the decisive rounds of this tournament. In 2016, it reached the Libertadores final, and in 2023 it managed to get past Deportivo Pereira in the Round of 16.

A head-to-head record that favors El Pijao

Tolima and Independiente del Valle already know what it means to face each other in the Copa Libertadores.

The two sides met during the 2022 group stage, and the Colombian team remains unbeaten in their two previous meetings. The first match ended 2-2 in Ecuador, while Tolima claimed a 1-0 victory when they met in Ibagué.

Now they will meet again at the Manuel Murillo Toro, but this time with a much bigger prize at stake: taking the first step toward the quarterfinals of the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

Don’t miss Deportes Tolima vs. Independiente del Valle LIVE on beIN SPORTS starting at 8:20 PM ET, as a knockout tie begins that will determine one of the eight best teams on the continent