Copa Libertadores 2022: A Complete Guide
Introduction
The Copa Libertadores is the most prestigious club competition in South America and one of the most important club competitions in the world. It is organized by CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation. The tournament was first held in 1960 and has been won by some of the biggest clubs in South America, including Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Peñarol.
The Copa Libertadores is a knockout tournament, with the winner qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup. The tournament is played over two legs, with the away goals rule in effect. If the aggregate score is tied after two legs, the team with the most away goals advances. If the away goals are also tied, the match goes to extra time and then to a penalty shootout if necessary.
Format
The Copa Libertadores is played in three stages: the group stage, the knockout stage, and the final. The group stage is played in eight groups of four teams each. The top two teams in each group advance to the knockout stage. The knockout stage is played in a single-elimination format, with the winners of each round advancing to the next round. The final is played between the two winners of the semifinals.
Teams
The Copa Libertadores is open to the top clubs in South America. The number of teams that qualify from each country is determined by their performance in the previous year's CONMEBOL competitions. The following countries are guaranteed at least one berth in the Copa Libertadores:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
History
The Copa Libertadores was first held in 1960 and has been won by some of the biggest clubs in South America. The most successful club in the Copa Libertadores is Boca Juniors, which has won the tournament six times. Other notable winners include River Plate, Peñarol, and Independiente.
Winners
The following is a list of the winners of the Copa Libertadores:
- 1960: Peñarol (Uruguay)
- 1961: Peñarol (Uruguay)
- 1962: Santos (Brazil)
- 1963: Santos (Brazil)
- 1964: Independiente (Argentina)
- 1965: Independiente (Argentina)
- 1966: Peñarol (Uruguay)
- 1967: Racing (Argentina)
- 1968: Estudiantes (Argentina)
- 1969: Estudiantes (Argentina)
- 1970: Estudiantes (Argentina)
- 1971: Nacional (Uruguay)
- 1972: Independiente (Argentina)
- 1973: Independiente (Argentina)
- 1974: Independiente (Argentina)
- 1975: Independiente (Argentina)
- 1976: Cruzeiro (Brazil)
- 1977: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- 1978: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- 1979: Olimpia (Paraguay)
- 1980: Nacional (Uruguay)
- 1981: Flamengo (Brazil)
- 1982: Peñarol (Uruguay)
- 1983: Grêmio (Brazil)
- 1984: Independiente (Argentina)
- 1985: Argentinos Juniors (Argentina)
- 1986: River Plate (Argentina)
- 1987: Peñarol (Uruguay)
- 1988: Nacional (Uruguay)
- 1989: Atlético Nacional (Colombia)
- 1990: Olimpia (Paraguay)
- 1991: Colo-Colo (Chile)
- 1992: São Paulo (Brazil)
- 1993: São Paulo (Brazil)
- 1994: Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina)
- 1995: Grêmio (Brazil)
- 1996: River Plate (Argentina)
- 1997: Cruzeiro (Brazil)
- 1998: Vasco da Gama (Brazil)
- 1999: Palmeiras (Brazil)
- 2000: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- 2001: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- 2002: Olimpia (Paraguay)
- 2003: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- 2004: Once Caldas (Colombia)
- 2005: São Paulo (Brazil)
- 2006: Internacional (Brazil)
- 2007: Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- 2008: Liga de Quito (Ecuador)
- 2009: Estudiantes (Argentina)
- 2010: Internacional (Brazil)
- 2011: Santos (Brazil)
- 2012: Corinthians (Brazil)
- 2013: Atlético Mineiro (Brazil)
- 2014: San Lorenzo (Argentina)
- 2015: River Plate (Argentina)
- 2016: Atlético Nacional (Colombia)
- 2017: Grêmio (Brazil)
- 2018: River Plate (Argentina)
- 2019: Flamengo (Brazil)
- 2020: Palmeiras (Brazil)
- 2021: Palmeiras (Brazil)
Conclusion
The Copa Libertadores is the most prestigious club competition in South America and one of the most important club competitions in the world. It is a tournament that is steeped in history and tradition and has been won by some of the biggest clubs in South America. The Copa Libertadores is a tournament that is always exciting and unpredictable, and it is one that is sure to continue to capture the imagination of fans for years to come.
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