A cagey showdown could be on the cards as Colombian giants Atletico Nacional lock horns with Brazilian heavyweights Sao Paulo in the first leg of their 2025 CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores round-of-16 clash.
Nacional head into the tie brimming with confidence after cruising past Alianza Lima 3-0 in the Colombian Categoria Primera A Clausura over the weekend. That victory stretched their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions, a streak that has propelled them to second place in the domestic standings, just behind Atletico Junior.
Their opponents, led by former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo, arrive in Medellín fresh from a solid 2-0 win over Vitoria in Brazil’s Serie A. Sao Paulo topped Group D in style, winning four and drawing two of their six matches, finishing ahead of Paraguayan outfit Libertad without tasting defeat.
While Atletico Nacional have found some spark in recent weeks, the quality, depth, and consistency of Sao Paulo make them the favourites—not just for this first leg, but for the two-legged tie as a whole. This one could be tight, tense, and decided by fine margins.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
How to watch Atletico Nacional vs Sao Paulo online – TV channels & live streams
The match will be shown live on Fubo, Fanatiz, beIN Sports and beIN Sports Connect in the United States. Live updates can be found here on GOAL.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL‘s guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.
Atletico Nacional vs Sao Paulo kick-off time
The match will be played at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín on Tuesday, August 12, with kick-off at 8:30 pm ET for fans in the US.
Team news & squads
Atletico Nacional team news
As for Atletico Nacional, their blueprint is clear—strike quickly on the break and punish from distance. With a core of battle-hardened attackers and midfielders, the Colombian side will look to use their nous and precision to trouble the home defence and keep the contest finely poised.
Sao Paulo team news
One name drawing plenty of buzz is Sao Paulo’s rising star Ryan Francisco—the standout performer and Golden Boot winner at the 2025 Copinha, where he netted a remarkable 10 goals. Add to that his growing minutes with the senior squad in both the Brasileirão and first team, and you’ve got a young forward brimming with confidence. His relentless energy and killer instinct in front of goal could prove decisive in swinging this two-legged tie toward the Brazilians.
