The Copa Libertadors is the premier club competition in South America and is the equivalent of the UEFA Champions League as it draws in the top teams throughout the continent to take each other on in a six month contest. Although the Copa Libertadores did not begin till 1960 it’s origins began in 1948 when a South American Club Championship was set up in Chile. The tournament was won by the Brazilian side Vasco Da Gama. The first official tournament took place twelve years later with just seven sides taking part. Penarol from Urugauy were the first ever winners and they duly followed up the next year. The baton of power then transferred to Brazilan side Santos who were led by the legendary Pele. Santos won the competition in 1962 and 1963 before dominance was bestowed on Argentinean sides for the next decade and a half. No side has won more Copa Libertadores than Independiente and they kicked off their historic feats in 1964 and 1965 with consecutive titles.

In the first half of the 1970’s they won a staggering four consecutive titles which remains a record to this day and they recorded their last continental championship in 1984. Another Argentine side, Estudiantes de La Plata, had success during this period also as they picked up the trophy three consecutive years between 1968 and 1970.

If Argentina were the dominant force in the 1970’s Brazil reigned supreme in the 1990’s with six championships in eight seasons. Sao Paulo kicked off the trend with two consecutive titles in 1992 and 1993 and they also reached the final in 1994 losing out to Velez Sarsfield. Other sides to win the Copa Libertadores from Brazil in the 1990’s were Gremio (1995), Cruzeiro (1997), Vasco da Gama (1998) and Palmeiras (1999). A new decade and a new millennium heralded the end of the 1990’s and Boca Juniors, from Argentina, were the top side with three victories in the opening half of the decade. In 2008 LDU Quito become the first side from Ecuador to lift the famous trophy after beating Brazilian side Fluminense.

The format of the Copa Libertadores has been altered throughout the years but in its present guise it kicks off in February with a knockout qualifying round known as the first stage. The six sides who qualify from that opening round join up with a further 26 sides in the main group stages. Like the UEFA Champions League there are eight groups of four teams at this stage with the top two in each group progressing to the knockout stages in June and July. Then a series of two legged ties takes place until just two sides remain in the competition.

Unlike the Champions League the final is a two legged affair. Qualification for the Copa Libertadores is earned through progress in that side’s domestic championships. Like in Europe the stature of the country relates to how many sides represent it in the continental championships. Argentina and Brazil each have five sides who qualify while every other nation receives three qualifying spots. Mexican sides have been invited into the competition since 1998.