Who Will Vasco Face in the Copa Sudamericana Knockout Stage? Understand the Rules

Vasco finished the group stage with 10 points, matching Red Bull Bragantino, but the São Paulo club held the edge on goal difference, 7 to 4. As a result, Vasco ended up as the third-best second-place team and is now set to face the third-worst team among those that finish third in the Copa Libertadores group stage.

At this point, the projected opponent is Independiente Medellín of Colombia. However, the matchup is not yet confirmed. Two groups, D and F, will be decided on Thursday, and those results could still change the standings and alter Vasco’s next opponent.

The team from Rio de Janeiro completed its campaign with a strong enough record to remain in contention in the knockout phase, but the final placement in the overall ranking of runners-up left it just behind Red Bull Bragantino. That margin on goal difference proved decisive in determining the ordering of the teams.

The next stage will depend on the final outcomes of the remaining groups, with the possibility of a different opponent emerging once all group matches are completed. For now, Vasco must wait to learn whether it will indeed meet Independiente Medellín or another club that ends up occupying that third-place position after Thursday’s games.

This scenario keeps the draw open and leaves some uncertainty over the club’s immediate path in the tournament. Even so, Vasco has secured enough points to advance and stay alive in the competition, with its fate in the next round tied to how the rest of the group stage finishes across the continent.