10 Key Sports Developments In Latin America (September 11, 2025)

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Latin America's sports scene on September 11, 2025 saw high-stakes soccer triumphs, administrative shake-ups, and milestones across sports. Men's football dominated the day as clubs secured crucial victories and federations made news off the pitch.

Meanwhile, baseball's biggest series continued and a Latin MLB star reached a career landmark. Here are 10 key developments from the day:
Cruzeiro Win Derby to Reach Copa do Brasil Semis
Key facts: Cruzeiro defeated arch-rivals Atlético Mineiro 2–0 in Belo Horizonte, completing a 4–0 aggregate victory in their Copa do Brasil quarter-final.

Striker Kaio Jorge scored both goals for Cruzeiro in the second-leg derby. The Raposa advance to the semi-finals and will face Corinthians in the next round.



Why picked: An all-Belo Horizonte clash with a semi-final berth at stake is big news in Brazilian football. Cruzeiro's emphatic win over their rivals not only keeps them in the hunt for the cup, but also underlines their resurgence with young talent leading the way.
Vasco Eliminates Botafogo on Penalties in Cup Thriller
Key facts: The other Copa do Brasil quarter-final on the day saw Vasco da Gama edge Botafogo in a dramatic penalty shootout. The second leg in Rio de Janeiro ended 1–1 (identical to the first-leg score), forcing penalties.

Vasco goalkeeper Léo Jardim made a crucial save as Vasco prevailed 5–3 in the shootout. Vasco move on to the semi-finals, setting up a classic all-Rio clash with Fluminense.

Why picked: A win-or-go-home showdown between two of Rio's biggest clubs delivered the drama expected. Vasco's nerve in penalties knocked out the Brazilian league leaders Botafogo, showing that cup upsets are always possible.

The result sets the stage for a high-profile“Clásico Carioca” in the semis, which is a major talking point in Brazilian football.
Sudamericana Final Relocated from Bolivia to Paraguay
Key facts: CONMEBOL announced that the 2025 Copa Sudamericana final will no longer be held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Due to delays in stadium renovations there, the single-match final has been moved to Asunción, Paraguay.

The date of the final remains unchanged, but it will now be played at Estadio Defensores del Chaco. Officials cited infrastructure concerns as the reason for the switch.

Why picked: This is a significant continental development off the field. Moving a cup final's venue is rare and impacts fans and logistics.

The change underscores CONMEBOL 's strict requirements for host stadiums and is a blow to Bolivia's hopes of hosting a major final. Paraguay, having hosted last year, steps in again – reaffirming Asunción as a go-to neutral venue for South American finals.
Brazil Moves to Curb Match-Fixing with Sports Betting Law
Key facts: In Brasília, a Senate sports committee approved new legislation aimed at safeguarding sports integrity amid the online betting boom.

The bill would channel a percentage of betting revenues into a National Sports Fund and impose stricter controls on betting ads and suspicious wagering. Lawmakers fast-tracked the measure following recent match-fixing scandals in Brazilian football.

Why picked: With sports betting rampant, Brazil is taking action to protect its games from corruption. This development is important regionally because several Latin American leagues have grappled with match-fixing issues.

A legal framework to regulate betting and fund sport development could serve as a model for other countries and help restore trust in competition integrity.
Diablos Rojos Rout Charros to Go Up 2–0 in Serie del Rey
Key facts: In Mexico's baseball championship series, Diablos Rojos del México crushed the Charros de Jalisco 12–1 in Game 2 of the Serie del Rey.

Playing at home in Mexico City, the Diablos' offense exploded early and often, building on their Game 1 win. The lopsided victory gives the Diablos a 2–0 lead in the best-of-seven series as it now shifts to Jalisco for Game 3.

Why picked: The Serie del Rey is the pinnacle of Mexican baseball, and the Diablos Rojos are showing why they're the defending champions. A 12–1 blowout in a finals game is a statement – it puts the capital's team in firm control of the series.

With baseball being a major sport in northern Latin America, the Diablos' dominance is a key story, and fans are watching to see if Jalisco can turn things around at home.
Carlos Correa Reaches 200 Home Runs in MLB
Key facts: Puerto Rican MLB star Carlos Correa hit the 200th home run of his career during the Minnesota Twins' game on Wednesday night.

The 30-year-old shortstop reached the milestone with a fourth-inning solo shot, becoming one of the few Puerto Rican players to hit double-century homers in the majors.

Correa's season has been up and down, but he celebrated the personal achievement with his teammates in the dugout.

Why picked: Latin American players continue to leave their mark in Major League Baseball, and Correa's 200-homer milestone is a testament to his consistency and power.

Puerto Rico has a rich baseball heritage – Correa joining the 200-homer club places him alongside icons from the island. It's a point of pride for Latin American baseball fans and highlights the ongoing impact of Latino talent in the big leagues.
Libertadores Semifinals Set with Brazilian Heavyweight Presence
Key facts: The Copa Libertadores semifinal matchups are confirmed, and Brazilian clubs dominate the last four. Reigning champions Flamengo, plus Palmeiras and Internacional, all advanced through the quarter-finals, joined by Argentina's River Plate as the lone non-Brazilian side.

The semis later this month will feature Flamengo vs. Internacional and Palmeiras vs. River Plate in a Brazil-Argentina showdown.

Why picked: South America's premier club tournament often reflects Brazilian clubs' strength, and this year is no exception. Three Brazilian powerhouses making the semifinals underlines Brazil's club supremacy at the moment.

River Plate carrying Argentina's flag adds to the classic Brazil-vs-Argentina narrative. These semifinal clashes will captivate the continent, so noting who made it through is essential.
Latin Stars Prominent in 2025 Ballon d'Or Nominations
Key facts: France Football released its award nominee lists, and several Latin American players feature among the world's best.

On the men's side, Argentina's Lionel Messi is shortlisted yet again as he aims for an eighth Ballon d'Or, and Brazil's Vinícius Júnior earned a nomination after a stellar season in Europe.

For the women's Ballon d'Or, 18-year-old Linda Caicedo from Colombia made history with a nomination, thanks to her breakout performances at the World Cup and with Real Madrid.

Why picked: These nominations show Latin America's continued impact on global football. Messi and Vinícius being in the Ballon d'Or conversation reaffirms the region's top talent at the elite level.

Even more significantly, Linda Caicedo's inclusion among the women's nominees is a landmark for South American women's football. It signals growing recognition for female players from the region and will inspire the next generation of talent.
Venezuela Sack Coach After Qualifying Hopes Fade
Key facts: Venezuela's football federation announced the dismissal of head coach Fernando“Bocha” Batista following the national team's poor World Cup qualifying run.

The decision came after a 1–3 home loss to Ecuador on September 10 effectively ended Venezuela's chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup. An interim coach will be appointed as La Vinotinto regroup for remaining fixtures, with an eye toward rebuilding for the next cycle.

Why picked: This coaching change, while unfortunate for continuity, is significant as Venezuela continues to chase its first-ever World Cup berth. Batista's exit underscores the disappointment of a country that had harbored hopes after some improved performances in recent years.

Coaching instability has long been an issue for Venezuela; the move reflects the urgent desire for a fresh start and new approach to finally break through on the world stage.
Colombia Win in Venezuela to Bolster World Cup Bid
Key facts: Colombia's national team earned a crucial 2–0 away victory over Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier, solidifying their position in the top half of the CONMEBOL table.

Midfield maestro James Rodríguez scored a free-kick goal and Luis Díaz added a late strike to secure the points in Caracas. The win kept Colombia on track to directly qualify for 2026 with only two matchdays remaining.

Why picked: A confident away win in a tricky derby-style fixture is big news for Colombia. After missing out on the last World Cup, Los Cafeteros are determined to return, and results like this show their progress.

The match also mattered regionally – Colombia's win had a knock-on effect of eliminating Venezuela (its neighbor and rival) from contention. It's a key step in Colombia's road to the World Cup and was celebrated by their fans across the country.

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