Overview
- Palmeiras beat River 3-1 in São Paulo to win the quarterfinal 5-2 on aggregate, with Maximiliano Salas scoring early before Vitor Roque equalized and José Manuel López sealed it with a late brace following Marcos Acuña’s red card.
- Marcelo Gallardo criticized referee Andrés Matonte for losing control and cited costly late lapses, saying River must refocus and grow stronger after the elimination.
- Toluca demolished Monterrey 6-2 at the Nemesio Díez after Sergio Ramos failed a Panenka penalty that Hugo González saved; coach Antonio Mohamed said he had warned his keeper to stay central.
- Cruz Azul drew 2-2 with Querétaro to remain unbeaten and atop the Apertura, salvaging a late equalizer through Gabriel Fernández in a match that saw red cards to Jhojan Julio and Luka Romero.
- León let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw with Mazatlán, extending La Fiera’s winless run and increasing scrutiny on visiting coach Robert Dante Siboldi, according to local reports.