Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Copa Libertadores: "Outsider" Finalists


Tonight is the second leg of the Copa Libertadores Final between LDU Quito of Ecuador and Fluminense of Brazil. LDU holds a 4-2 advantage after the first leg heading back to Rio for the return leg.

These are the last five Libertadores finals that have included clubs from nations outside of Brazil or Argentina. The last four of these matchups have ended with penalty kicks going all the way back to the 1998 game, the last time an Ecuadorian club made the final of the tournament. The last two matchups have been won by the "outsiders", but before that, it had been since 1991 since a non-Brazilian/Argentinian club had won the cup.


2004
Once Caldas (Colombia) v Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Aggregate 1-1
2-0 pens


2002
Olimpia (Paraguay) v São Caetano (Brazil)
Aggregate 2-2
4-2 pens


2001
Boca Juniors (Argentina) v Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Aggregate 1-1
3-1 pens


1999
Palmeiras (Brazil) v Deportivo Cali (Colombia)
Aggregate 2-2
4-3 pens


1998
Vasco da Gama (Brazil) v Barcelona SC (Ecuador)
Aggregate 4-1


LDU is looking to become the first Libertadores Champion from Ecuador following two runner-up finishes by Barcelona SC in the 90's. The winner goes on to the World Club Championship in Japan, where the South American sides have won three out of the first four tournaments.


Past Copa Libertadores Posts:
All Past Winners from outside Brazil and Argentina
Copa Libertadores Finals Facts since 1988
Finals Players That Have Played Abroad

2 comments:

  1. First time I've seen this blog. Very interesting stuff! I love the statistics side of sports and I love soccer--and usually those two never cross paths. Nice work and keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Collin, I appreciate the comment, thanks for reading.

    -Steve-

    ReplyDelete