Botafogo Faces High-Altitude Challenge Against Cienciano
Botafogo travels to Cusco, Peru, on August 13, 2026, to face Cienciano in the first leg of the Copa Sul-Americana round of 16. The match, scheduled for 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Veja, presents a significant physical test for the Brazilian side due to the local altitude of approximately 3,400 meters, according to reports from Lance!.
Tournament Paths and Recent Form
Botafogo enters the knockout stage as the team with the best record from the group phase, having finished at the top of Group E with five wins and one draw. Under the leadership of manager Franclim Carvalho, the team secured their place in the round of 16 directly. In contrast, Cienciano earned its spot through the playoffs, overcoming a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Lanús by winning the return leg 4-0 at home, a result aided by their altitude advantage, as noted by Lance!.
According to Terra, Atlético-MG also advanced directly to the round of 16 after leading their group, which included Cienciano. Meanwhile, RB Bragantino reached this stage after eliminating Sporting Cristal in the playoff round.
Match Officials and Broadcast Information
CONMEBOL has appointed an Ecuadorian officiating crew for the encounter in Cusco. Augusto Aragon will serve as the referee, supported by assistant referees Christian Lescano and Mauricio Lozada. The fourth official is Oswaldo Contreras, while Franklin Congo will oversee the VAR booth. Fans can watch the broadcast via Paramount+.
Probable Lineups
Cienciano (Coach: Horacio Melgarejo): Espinoza, Yovera, Rotceh Aguilar, Becerra, Cabello, Ademar Robles, Santiago Arias, Caparó, Matías Succar, Cavero, and Garcés.
Botafogo (Coach: Franclim Carvalho): Warleson, Vitinho, Ferraresi, Justino (or Lucas Monzón), Alex Telles, Huguinho, Danilo, Medina, Montoro, Danilo Pereira, and Arthur Cabral.
Did you know? Cienciano’s home stadium, the Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Veja, is located in the Andes mountains, making it one of the most difficult venues for visiting teams due to the thin air at 3,400 meters above sea level.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Cienciano vs. Botafogo match? The game takes place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time).
- Where can I watch the game? The match is available for viewing on Paramount+.
- How did Cienciano reach the round of 16? They advanced through the playoffs after a 4-0 home victory against Lanús, overturning a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.
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