Vasco DA Gama vs Santa Fe - CONMEBOL Sudamericana

A fascinating CONMEBOL Sudamericana chapter awaits on September 15, 2026 when Vasco DA Gama take on Santa Fe at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. The sheer joy on the 18-year-old defender’s face resonated with Paul Schaffran back at the academy.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the CONMEBOL Sudamericana contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. It has been a solid if unspectacular run for the hosts — W across their last five with a win rate of 50% — and they will want to push on from here. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player On Sunday, there was the opportunity to attend another thriller as Augsburg went top of the table.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Vasco DA Gama may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Santa Fe have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. It isn't clear yet that this will definitely be a winger, with Maresca and sporting director Hugo Viana flexible over their attack.

Individual quality could tip the balance. The league's leading scorer Gabriel Barbosa, with 5 goals to his name this season, is a reminder of the firepower on display. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Benjamin Sesko started his first game of the season for Manchester United on Thursday and his goal was a timely boost ahead of the derby with Man City.

The fixture has the feel of a coin-flip, and picking a winner with any conviction would require a braver pundit than most. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 2-2 draw feels like a fitting result. Whatever the outcome, the CONMEBOL Sudamericana fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. The 22-year-old was likely quite high up on the list of United's midfield targets and potentially even higher after Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga blows.