Copa Libertadores
| Copa Libertadores |
|---|
 |
| Founded |
| 1960 |
| Continent |
| South America (CONMEBOL) |
| Number of Teams |
| 32 (Group Stages) |
| Current Champions (2006-07) |
Boca Juniors |
| Most successful club |
|
Independiente (7 time champions) |
| Website |
| Copa Toyota Libertadores at CONMEBOL.com |
The Copa Toyota Libertadores (also known as Copa Libertadores de América) (Portuguese: Copa Libertadores da América or Taça Libertadores da América, English: Liberators Cup) is a Football cup competition played annually by the top clubs of South America. In recent years, top clubs from Mexico have also competed. The tournament is organized by the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol/Confederação Sul-Americana de Futebol (CONMEBOL). The current champion is the Argentine club Boca Juniors.
The name of the tournament is an homage to the Libertadores (Portuguese and Spanish words for Liberators), the main leaders of the independence wars of Latin America: Simón Bolívar, Dom Pedro I (of Brazil), José de San Martín, Antonio José de Sucre, Bernardo O'Higgins, José Miguel Carrera and José Gervasio Artigas. Teams in contention for the title are referred to having the Sueño Libertador, in Hispanic America, or Projeto Tóquio, in Brazil.
The tournament is, at present, sponsored by the motor manufacturing company Toyota, hence the inclusion of the name in the competition's current official title. Spain's Banco Santander has just announced (27 Sept. 2007) that it has signed an agreement with the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol to become the new top sponsors of the competition.
Qualifying
In the beginning, only the national champions of the major South American federations (namely Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay) would play in the Libertadores Cup, but in the 1970s a second team from each country was allowed entry and also teams from Venezuela. The number of participants was later increased to 24, 28, 32 and now 38.
Teams are qualified for the Libertadores Cup by winning a national championship or by finishing among the first few teams in the championship. Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico are the only countries participating which employ a second tournament that qualifies for the Libertadores (in Brazil, Copa do Brasil, since 1989; in Uruguay the "liguilla pre-libertadores" since 1974, in Mexico, the InterLiga since 2004).
The Cup has a preliminary round in which a number of clubs, currently 12, are paired in a series of two-legged knockout ties. The six survivors join the remaining clubs in the first round, in which they are divided into groups of four. The first-round groups play in a league system, with each team playing home and away against each other team. The top two teams from each group are then drawn in the second round, which consists of a two-legged knockout tie. From that point, the competition proceeds with two-legged knockout ties to quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. Between 1960 and 1987 the previous winners did not enter the competition until the semi-final stage (which was 2 group stage of 3 teams each one), making it much easier to retain the cup.
The 2007 edition will have the competitors distributed this way:
- The previous year's champion
- 5 from Argentina and Brazil, respectively
- 3 from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela each
The lowest-ranked team from each country, plus the second lowest-ranked team from the nation of the previous year's champion, will enter the preliminary round, with the winners joining the other 26 teams in the main draw.
Rules
Note that unlike European club competitions, the Copa Libertadores historically did not use extra time or away goals to decide a tie that was level on aggregate. From 1960 to 1987, two-legged ties were decided on points (teams would be awarded 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss), without taking goal difference into consideration. If both teams were level on points after two legs, a third match would be played at a neutral site. Goal difference would only come into play if the third match was drawn. If the third match did not produce an immediate winner a penalty shootout was used to determine a winner.
From 1988 through 2004, ties were decided on aggregate goals, with an immediate penalty shootout if the tie was level on aggregate after full time of the second leg. Several times, the event would have had a different champion if it followed European rules. For example, if the away goals rule had been used the 2004 champions Colombian club Once Caldas, provided the same results would have taken place under these different circumstances, would have exited the competition in the second round, and would also have lost the final on away goals, making Boca Juniors the Champion of that trophy. Regardless, Once Caldas is officially recognized as the Libertadores champion in 2004 after defeating Boca Juniors in the final game.
Starting with the 2005 event, CONMEBOL finally began to use the away goals rule, with the extra time used only in the final matches.
History
Twelve years before the first official Copa Libertadores, an international club competition was set up containing representatives (often the league champion) from seven different South American countries. This was the South American Club Championship 1948, played in a league in Santiago, Chile, and was won by Vasco da Gama. It has been recognised as a precursor to the Copa Libertadores by the South American Federation, but is not counted as being as significant as the first official competition in 1960, created as a rival to the European Cup which had been competed for since 1955.
The first cup was won by Peñarol of Uruguay. As of 2005, 20 different teams have won the cup. The most successful club has been the Argentinian side Independiente, winners seven times including four in a row from 1972 to 1975.
Estudiantes de La Plata, of Argentina, became the first club to win the Cup for three consecutive years, in 1968, 1969 and 1970. With this remarkable achievement, Estudiantes became the first club to preserve the Cup for ever. Since then, only Independiente has preserved the Cup. Estudiantes and Independiente are also the teams that played more consecutive finals, four.
The competition all-time goalscorer is still striker Alberto Spencer of Ecuador. He played as a striker for Peñarol during their golden age in the 60's, scoring 48 goals in 70 games, and for Barcelona of Guayaquil, scoring 6 goals in 7 games. In total, he scored 54 goals in the Copa Libertadores. Despite this, he remains a relatively unknown figure outside of South America, thus providing an excellent contrast to George Best, who despite his abilities was relatively little-known outside of the United Kingdom, with his 2005 death arguably giving him more worldwide publicity than he enjoyed in life. A common cause can be found in both cases: Neither played in a World Cup.
In the Cup, Brazilians complain that especially in the early years the referees were often biased against the Brazilian teams, and that other teams abuse of violence. Argentines typically answer this by remarking that the Brazilian teams were often uninterested in playing abroad.
Over the years the competition has kept alive a healthy sport rivalry between the competing countries, especially between Brazil and Argentina, Argentina and Uruguay, Uruguay and Brazil, Colombia and Argentina, Peru and Chile. Unfortunately episodes of violence are not rare and the pressure for players on the field is tremendous.
Since 1998, the Copa Libertadores has been sponsored by the Toyota Motor Corporation, which is why the name Copa Toyota Libertadores is also used.
Tournament results
| Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Details |
To be played. | ||
| 2007 Details |
Boca Juniors |
3 - 0 / 2 - 0 Aggregate 5 - 0 |
 Grêmio |
| 2006 Details |
Internacional |
2 - 1 / 2 - 2 Aggregate 4 - 3 |
São Paulo |
| 2005 Details |
São Paulo |
1 - 1 / 4 - 0 Aggregate 5 - 1 |
Atlético-PR |
| 2004 Details |
 Once Caldas |
0 - 0 / 1 - 1 Aggregate 1 - 1 2-0 pens |
Boca Juniors |
| 2003 Details |
Boca Juniors |
2 - 0 / 3 - 1 Aggregate 5 - 1 |
Santos |
| 2002 Details |
 Olimpia |
0 - 1 / 2 - 1 Aggregate 2 - 2 4-2 pens |
São Caetano |
| 2001 Details |
Boca Juniors |
1 - 0 / 0 - 1 Aggregate 1 - 1 3-1 pens |
 Cruz Azul |
| 2000 Details |
Boca Juniors |
2 - 2 / 0 - 0 Aggregate 2 - 2 4-2 pens |
Palmeiras |
| 1999 Details |
Palmeiras |
0 - 1 / 2 - 1 Aggregate 2 - 2 4-3 pens |
Deportivo Cali |
| 1998 Details |
Vasco |
2 - 0 / 2 - 1 Aggregate 4 - 1 |
 Barcelona Sporting Club |
| 1997 Details |
Cruzeiro |
0 - 0 / 1 - 0 Aggregate 1 - 0 |
 Sporting Cristal |
| 1996 Details |
River Plate |
0 - 1 / 2 - 0 Aggregate 2 - 1 |
America de Cali |
| 1995 Details |
Grêmio |
3 - 1 / 1 - 1 Aggregate 4 - 2 |
Atlético Nacional |
| 1994 Details |
Vélez Sársfield |
0 - 1 / 1 - 0 Aggregate 1 - 1 5-3 pens |
São Paulo |
| 1993 Details |
São Paulo |
5 - 1 / 0 - 2 Aggregate 5 - 3 |
 Universidad Católica |
| 1992 Details |
São Paulo |
1 - 0 / 0 - 1 Aggregate 1 - 1 3-2 pens |
Newell's Old Boys |
| 1991 Details |
Colo-Colo |
0 - 0 / 3 - 0 Aggregate 3 - 0 |
Olimpia |
| 1990 Details |
Olimpia |
2 - 0 / 1 - 1 Aggregate 3 - 1 |
Barcelona Sporting Club |
| 1989 Details |
Atlético Nacional |
2 - 0 / 0 - 2 Aggregate 2 - 2 5-4 pens |
Olimpia |
| 1988 Details |
 Nacional |
0 - 1 / 3 - 0 Aggregate 3-1 |
Newell's Old Boys |
| 1987 Details |
Peñarol |
0 - 2 / 2 - 1 Play-off 2 - 0 aet |
America de Cali |
| 1986 Details |
River Plate |
2 - 1 / 1 - 0 Aggregate 3 - 1 |
America de Cali |
| 1985 Details |
Argentinos Juniors |
1 - 0 / 0 - 1 Play-off 1 - 1 5-4 pens |
America de Cali |
| 1984 Details |
Independiente |
0 - 0 / 1 - 0 Aggregate 1 - 0 |
Grêmio |
| 1983 Details |
Grêmio |
1 - 1 / 2 - 1 Aggregate 3 - 2 |
Peñarol |
| 1982 Details |
Peñarol |
0 - 0 / 1 - 0 Aggregate 1 - 0 |
Cobreloa |
| 1981 Details |
Flamengo |
2 - 1 / 0 - 1 Play-off 2 - 0 |
Cobreloa |
| 1980 Details |
Nacional |
0 - 0 / 1 - 0 Aggregate 1 - 0 |
Internacional |
| 1979 Details |
Olimpia |
'2 - 0 / 0 - 0 Aggregate 2 - 0 |
Boca Juniors |
| 1978 Details |
Boca Juniors |
0 - 0 / 4 - 0 Aggregate 4 - 0 |
Deportivo Cali |
| 1977 Details |
Boca Juniors |
1 - 0 / 0 - 1 Play-off 0 - 0 5-4 pens |
Cruzeiro |
| 1976 Details |
Cruzeiro |
4 - 1 / 1 - 2 Play-off 3 - 2 |
River Plate |
| 1975 Details |
Independiente |
0 - 1 / 3 - 1 Play-off 2 - 0 |
Unión
Española |
| 1974 Details |
Independiente |
1 - 2 / 2 - 0 Play-off 1 - 0 |
São Paulo |
| 1973 Details |
Independiente |
1 - 1 / 0 - 0 Play-off 2 - 1 aet |
Colo-Colo |
| 1972 Details |
Independiente |
0 - 0 / 2 - 1 Aggregate 2 - 1 |
Universitario |
| 1971 Details |
Nacional |
1 - 0 / 0 - 1 Play-off 2 - 0 |
Estudiantes L.P. |
| 1970 Details |
Estudiantes L.P. |
1 - 0 / 0 - 0 Aggregate 1 - 0 |
Peñarol |
| 1969 Details |
Estudiantes L.P. |
1 - 0 / 2 - 0 Aggregate 3 - 0 |
Nacional |
| 1968 Details |
Estudiantes L.P. |
2 - 1 / 1 - 3 Play-off 2 - 0 |
Palmeiras |
| 1967 Details |
Racing Club |
0 - 0 / 0 - 0 Play-off 2 - 1 |
Nacional |
| 1966 Details |
Peñarol |
2 - 0 / 2 - 3 Play-off 4 - 2 aet |
River Plate |
| 1965 Details |
Independiente |
1 - 0 / 1 - 3 Play-off 4 - 1 |
Peñarol |
| 1964 Details |
Independiente |
0 - 0 / 1 - 0 Aggregate 1 - 0 |
Nacional |
| 1963 Details |
Santos |
3 - 2 / 2 - 1 Aggregate 5 - 3 |
Boca Juniors |
| 1962 Details |
Santos |
1 - 2 / 3 - 2 Play-off 3 - 0 |
Peñarol |
| 1961 Details |
Peñarol |
1 - 0 / 1 - 1 Aggregate 2 - 1 |
Palmeiras |
| 1960 Details |
Peñarol |
1 - 0 / 1 - 1 Aggregate 2 - 1 |
Olimpia |
Results
By Club
| Team | Winners | Runners-Up | Years Won | Years Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independiente |
7 | 0 | (1964, 1965, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1984) | - |
| Boca Juniors |
6 | 3 | (1977, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007) | (1963, 1979, 2004) |
| Peñarol |
5 | 4 | (1960, 1961, 1966, 1982, 1987) | |
| Nacional |
3 | 3 | (1971, 1980, 1988) |
(1964,1967,1969) |
| São Paulo |
3 | 3 | (1992, 1993, 2005) | |
| Olimpia |
3 | 3 | (1979, 1990, 2002) |
(1960,1989,1991) |
| Estudiantes L.P. |
3 | 1 | (1968, 1969, 1970) |
(1971) |
| River Plate |
2 | 2 | (1986, 1996) |
(1966, 1976) |
| Grêmio |
2 | 2 | (1983, 1995) |
(1984, 2007) |
| Cruzeiro |
2 | 1 | (1976, 1997) |
(1977) |
| Santos |
2 | 1 | (1962, 1963) |
(2003) |
| Palmeiras |
1 | 3 | (1999) | |
| Internacional |
1 | 1 | (2006) |
(1980) |
| Colo-Colo |
1 | 1 | (1991) |
(1973) |
| Atlético Nacional |
1 | 1 | (1989) |
(1995) |
| Once Caldas |
1 | 0 | (2004) | - |
| Vasco |
1 | 0 | (1998) | - |
| Vélez Sársfield |
1 | 0 | (1994) | - |
| Argentinos Juniors |
1 | 0 | (1985) | - |
| Flamengo |
1 | 0 | (1981) | - |
| Racing Club |
1 | 0 | (1967) | - |
(When sorted by years won or lost, the table is sorted by the date of each teams first win)
By Country
Topscorers
See Copa Libertadores de América Topscorers
External links
- Copa Toyota Libertadores at CONMEBOL.com Official Website.
- Copa Libertadores at ESPNdeportes
- Copa Libertadores results at RSSSF.com
- Copa Libertadores de America 2006 - news, schedule of games, pictures, videos, forums, and more (in Spanish)
- [1] A table of which teams have won the most European and South American International trophies.
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