As the South American club competitions approach their climax, the region gears up for two thrilling finals: the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores. Both tournaments bring together top-tier teams and serve as the stage where continental glory is defined, marking the end of the international football season in South America. Racing Club and Cruzeiro will compete for the Sudamericana title, while Botafogo and Atlético Mineiro will face off in the Libertadores—a showdown that highlights the return of these clubs to the international finals after several years.
The stadiums and dates are set, and fans eagerly await these duels. The Sudamericana final will take place at La Nueva Olla Stadium in Asunción, while Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium will host the decisive Libertadores clash. Below, we review the details of each match and the backgrounds of the teams striving to make history this November.
COPA SUDAMERICANA: RACING VS. CRUZEIRO
The 2024 Copa Sudamericana brings a unique final between Argentina’s Racing Club and Brazil’s Cruzeiro. The match will be held on Saturday, November 23, at La Nueva Olla Stadium in Asunción, Paraguay, where both teams will vie for their first title in this tournament. Racing and Cruzeiro arrive with the ambition to secure an international trophy after a long drought in continental achievements, with La Nueva Olla previously hosting the Sudamericana final in 2019.
This will mark the third time these clubs face each other for an international title. In 1988, Racing claimed the Supercopa after winning 2-1 in Avellaneda and drawing 1-1 in Belo Horizonte. However, in 1992, Cruzeiro avenged that loss, clinching the trophy with a decisive 4-0 victory at home, despite a narrow defeat in Argentina. Now, with renewed squads, both Racing and Cruzeiro are eager to add a new international star to their record.
COPA LIBERTADORES: BOTAFOGO VS. ATLÉTICO MINEIRO
The 2024 Copa Libertadores final promises a thrilling all-Brazilian duel between Botafogo and Atlético Mineiro. The decisive match will be played on Saturday, November 30, at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires at 5 p.m. (Argentina time). Atlético Mineiro reached the final by eliminating River Plate in the semifinals, securing their spot after a scoreless draw at the Monumental. Led by Gabriel Milito, Atlético Mineiro aims to lift the continent’s most prestigious trophy.
Botafogo, on the other hand, earned its place in the final with an impressive performance in the semifinals against Peñarol, achieving a 5-0 victory in the first leg in Brazil and holding on after a 3-1 defeat in the return leg. With standout players like Thiago Almada, the Rio de Janeiro team heads into the final with high expectations and their sights set on continental glory. As both teams prepare for the ultimate showdown, fans anticipate a final filled with skill and excitement, befitting the Copa Libertadores.
