Montevideo City Torque will face Cienciano of Peru in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana following a historic international run for the Uruguayan club.
The small Montevideo side, playing in the Copa Sudamericana for the second time, reached the last eight after winning seven of their nine matches in the tournament.
Their recent victory against Argentine side Tigre, winning both matches of the series, consolidated the best international campaign in the history of the club.
Cienciano secured their place in the quarter-finals after eliminating Brazilian club Botafogo. The tie concluded with an assault on Cienciano manager Horacio Melgarejo by members of the Botafogo squad.
Cienciano player Kevin Becerra stated that the attack was a shame and that squad members were nearly killed. Botafogo player Alex Telles claimed Melgarejo fled because he knew what he had said, while Melgarejo responded that the incident was recorded and he wanted no trouble.
Rise under City Football Group
Montevideo City Torque was founded in December 2007 under the name Atletico Torque. The modest team earned promotion to the top division in 2017.
Three years later, in 2020, the club was purchased by City Group. The multi-millionaire investment group owns global clubs including Manchester City in England, New York City in the United States, Palermo in Italy, and partner club Bolivar in Bolivia.
The ownership change brought regular appearances in continental tournaments. Montevideo City Torque competed in the 2021 Copa Sudamericana and the 2022 Copa Libertadores before their current 2026 Sudamericana campaign.
Sole Uruguayan team in Conmebol play
Following the round of 16 victory, manager Marcelo Mendez highlighted that Montevideo City Torque is the only Uruguayan representative left in Conmebol competitions this season.
Mendez told reporters that tough months lie ahead with a triple competition schedule and that the team must be prepared. He said they had taken the club to a privileged position, winning seven of nine matches at a time when Uruguayan teams struggle internationally.
Mendez added that although the club does not draw high media attention, its achievements must be recognized despite the team's clear limitations.
Sudamericana quarter-final dates
The first leg between Cienciano and Montevideo City Torque will be played in Cusco between September 8 and September 10.
The return leg will take place one week later in Uruguay to decide who reaches the semi-finals.
