Cienciano and Melgar will face off on Thursday, March 5, at the Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega in Cusco, Peru, for a single-match playoff in the preliminary phase of the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana. The match, known as the ‘Clásico del Sur,’ is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM local time (19:30 COL/PER/ECU, 21:30 ARG/UY/PAR).
The contest marks an early international test for both Peruvian clubs in 2026. Cienciano recently secured a 3-2 victory over Deportivo Garcilaso in a local Cusco derby, while Melgar suffered a 2-1 defeat against Chankas in the fifth matchday of the Torneo Apertura. Melgar previously defeated Cienciano 2-0 on January 31, 2026, in the opening match of the Liga1 Apertura tournament, with goals from Cristian Bordacahar and Jeriel De Santis.
The match will be broadcast live throughout Latin America on DSports, formerly DirecTV Sports. Viewers in Brazil can watch on ESPN and Disney Plus, while fans in the United States have access through Fanatiz USA, fuboTV and beIN Sports. Streaming options are also available via the DGO app.
Brazilian referee Flávio de Souza has been appointed to officiate the match. Key players to watch include Carlos Garcés for Cienciano, who has been a consistent goalscorer, and Bernardo Cuesta of Melgar, the club’s all-time leading scorer and a prominent figure on the field.
Alongside Cienciano, FBC Melgar, Alianza Atlético, and Deportivo Garcilaso are all participating in the preliminary phase of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana. The outcome of this match will determine which of these teams advances in the competition.
