Copa Libertadores
The Copa Libertadores de América is the most important South American club football competition, similar to the European Champions League. Originally held from 1960 to 1964 as the Copa Campeones de América, is played until August, organized by the January competition from the South American Football Confederation ( CONMEBOL ). Since 1998, Mexican teams taking part. The winner qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup and for the upcoming Copa Libertadores, he also competes against the winner of the Copa Sudamericana Recopa Sudamericana to, the equivalent of the UEFA Super Cup on.
History
With the Campeonato Sudamericano de Campeones 1948 in Santiago, Chile, a first attempt rather than a contest of champions of South America was to establish. He is now regarded as a precursor of the Copa Libertadores and was officially recognized as such in 1996 by the CONMEBOL. This recognition allowed the former champion CR Vasco da Gama to participate in the Supercopa Sudamericana in 1997, a competition which was attended by all until then in the Libertadores successful clubs.
For many years the name of a commercial sponsor is part of the official name of the competition. That was the name of the competition from 1998 to 2007 Copa Toyota Libertadores, 2008-2012 Santander Libertadores Cup and up to date from 2013, the tire manufacturer Bridgestone main sponsor.
Mode
During the time the mode is changed several times. Initially it was played in pure knockout system, and followed up with a group stage. Just as the number and strength of the groups also varied the number of teams per country. Up in the 80s played on points both in the group and in the knockout rounds of the goal difference in principle not matter but it was a play due. At the beginning of the 90s also ruled the goal difference on points. Was this also the same, no more playoffs were in the finals, however, be held, but there was, as usual in South America, directly after the return match a penalty shootout.
Since 2005, 38 teams may participate in the tournament. 26 teams are already set for the group stage: in each case the best four from Argentina and Brazil, and the best two from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The defending champions will qualify directly for the group stage (as number 1 in his country ).
The remaining twelve teams play in a qualifying round return match for the remaining six places for the group stage. Participants in the qualifying round, the fifth from Argentina and Brazil, the third party of the other nine countries and an additional team from the Land of the titleholder.
The 32 participating in the group stage qualifiers compete in eight groups of four teams six games ( three at home, three away ). The first and second placed to reach the knockout stages and from there determine the winner in the knockout system with return game. In the final, the away goals rule is overridden. The finale is also the only round in which there is an extension. The matches in the knockout phase are unsuccessful, but allocated on the basis of performance during the group stage. An exception is the semi-finals. Take this two teams from a country part, so play this regardless of the setting against each other to avoid a purely national final.