A Night to Remember at the Centenario
The Montevideo City Torque sealed their place in the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Tigre at the iconic Estadio Centenario in Montevideo on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. With this win in the second leg, the Uruguayan side advanced with a 3-1 aggregate after having also triumphed in the first leg.
The match, which kicked off at 21:30 Argentina time (20:30 local), was packed with drama. Salomón Rodríguez opened the scoring in the 38th minute, but Valentín Moreno equalized for Tigre just two minutes later. However, in the second half, Rodríguez converted a penalty in the 48th minute to seal the victory and send the home fans into delirium.
The Turning Point: A Red Card and a Penalty
The match took a decisive twist at 45 minutes into the first half when Nahuel Banegas was sent off for an elbow off the ball on Franco Pizzichillo. That foul led to the penalty that Rodríguez later converted. Tigre protested, claiming a prior foul by Rodríguez on Moreno, but the VAR did not intervene, sparking controversy.
With a numerical advantage, Torque controlled the game and managed the second half without major scares. The team, coached by Marcelo Méndez, showed great character to protect the lead and celebrate a historic qualification.
Marcelo Méndez: 'We Took the Club to a Place of Privilege'
After the final whistle, the coach was overflowing with emotion. "We are very happy; I am immensely joyful for what these players are doing. We have played nine international matches and won seven," he said in the press conference. "This is a historic moment for the club, and fortunately we managed to get through."
Méndez also praised the team's effort: "This group started on January 5 and hasn't stopped. It's a solid unit, with an institution that makes us feel like professionals every day." He highlighted that Torque is the only Uruguayan team still competing internationally: "In an era where Uruguayan clubs struggle, this is something to highlight."
A Giant Step for the City Football Group Project
Montevideo City Torque, owned by the City Football Group, continues to write golden pages in its short history. With this victory, the sky-blue team is now among the top eight in the Sudamericana and will face the winner of the tie between Botafogo and Cienciano, which will be decided on Thursday.
For Tigre, representing the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Victoria, the continental dream ends. Despite a strong campaign, they couldn't overcome the first-leg deficit, and Banegas' red card was a heavy blow from which they never recovered.
The night at the Centenario will remain in the memory of Torque fans, who celebrated a qualification that is now part of the club's folklore.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Date | August 19, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Estadio Centenario, Montevideo |
| Score | Montevideo City Torque 2 - 1 Tigre |
| Aggregate | 3 - 1 (Torque) |
| Goals | Salomón Rodríguez (38', 48' pen.), Valentín Moreno (40') |
| Red Card | Nahuel Banegas (Tigre) - 45' |
| Next Round | Quarterfinals vs. winner of Botafogo vs. Cienciano |