Medellín – Juventud: Third-round return leg set for Thursday at Atanasio as series stands 1-1
Medellín – juventud will be decided Thursday, March 12, inside the Atanasio Girardot stadium in Colombia, with a place in the next continental phase on the line. The tie arrives level at 1-1 after the first leg played Wednesday, March 5, 2026 at Gran Parque Central in Montevideo. The match is set for 9: 30 pm (Argentina/Uruguay/Chile) and 7: 30 pm (Colombia/Peru/Ecuador), with live viewing available on the Disney+ Premium Plan for South America only.
Match details: kickoff times, venue, and what is at stake
The return leg of the third round will be played at Atanasio Girardot on Thursday, March 12. With the series tied 1-1, the winner will advance to the next continental phase.
In the first leg, Enzo Larrosa scored for Medellín, while Bruno Larregui equalized, marking his first scoring contribution in five rounds of the competition. Medellín enters the match unbeaten in the Libertadores, and the club had no local league activity over the weekend; in its local competition, it has won one of its last five matches.
Team news and call-ups: Medellín – Juventud preparations under Restrepo
Coach Alejandro Restrepo has a list of concentrated players for the Thursday match at Atanasio Girardot, including the return of Daniel Londoño, Léyser Chaverra, and Baldomero Perlaza. Medellín could also count on Daniel Londoño and attacker Jhon Montaño for the effort to secure a place in the next phase.
Restrepo concentrated the following players: Salvador Ichazo, Eder Chaux, Kevin Mantilla, Daniel Londoño, Léyser Chaverra, José Ortiz, Luis Escorcia, Esneyder Mena, Frank Fabara, Didier Moreno, Francisco Chaverra, Juan Viveros, Baldomero Perlaza, Alexis Serna, Halam Loboa, Diego Moreno, Malcom Palacikos, Geronimo Mancilla, Hayen Palacios, Jhon Montaño, Luis Maturana, Enzo Larrosa, and Francisco Fydriszewski.
With the first leg ending 1-1 in Uruguay, Medellín can qualify by winning at home, or draw at Atanasio Girardot to force penalty kicks to decide the qualifier.
Immediate reactions: Restrepo points to an open series
Alejandro Restrepo, head coach of Independiente Medellín, framed the tie as finely balanced after the draw in Montevideo.
“Pudimos ganarlo nosotros o ellos por las situaciones que se presentaron. Esto es la Copa Libertadores, la serie está abierta y ahora tenemos la posibilidad de definir en casa, ” Restrepo said after the match in Montevideo.
He added: “Especialmente en el segundo tiempo tuvimos más el balón y generamos varias ocasiones adicionales a la del gol. ”
Quick context: recent form and the Uruguayan opponent
In the previous phase, Medellín also faced a Uruguayan side and eliminated Liverpool after a 0-0 at home. Juventud arrives after defeating Nacional 3-1 for its first win of the year in the Uruguayan tournament, where it sits 12th with four points.
What’s next after Thursday night
Thursday night’s result will settle who moves forward from this third-round tie, with the series currently level at 1-1. If the match remains tied after regulation at Atanasio Girardot, the qualification will be decided by penalty kicks, keeping medellín – juventud on a knife-edge until the final moments.
Time-sensitive match information is listed in local kickoff formats provided: 9: 30 pm (Argentina/Uruguay/Chile) and 7: 30 pm (Colombia/Peru/Ecuador), with live viewing on Disney+ Premium Plan for South America only.
