March 19 – Defending champions Botafogo have been drawn against Estudiantes de La Plata, Universidad de Chile and Carabobo in the group stages of the 2025 Copa Libertadores.
The stage has been set for a new season of rollercoaster rides in South America’s premier club competition after Conmebol drew the 32 participant clubs for the group stages. Once again, Brazil is expected to dominate. Last season, Botafogo won an all-Brazilian final against Atletico Mineiro to claim their first Libertadores title.
In Group A, the defending champions are the top seeds, taking on Estudiantes de La Plata, Universidad de Chile and Carabobo. Rio champions Flamengo, who won the competition in both 2019 and 2022, are favourites in group C against Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito, Deportivo Tachira and Central Cordoba.
São Paulo head Group D which includes Libertad, Talleres and Alianza Lima. Crosstown rivals Palmeiras will meet Bolivar, Sporting Cristal and Cerro Porteno in Group G. Fortaleza and Internacional are the other Brazilian clubs in the competition.
The last five Copa Libertadores finals have been all-Brazilian affairs. River Plate were the last non-Brazilian club to reach the showpiece match in 2019 when they lost to Flamengo 2-1. A year earlier, they defeated Boca Juniors in the last two-legged final 5-3 on aggregate.
All eyes will be on the Buenos Aires giant to see if they can challenge Brazil’s dominance after Boca Juniors failed to qualify for the competition. In Group B, River Plate will play Independient del Valle, Universitario and Barcelona.
The group stages will begin on April 1 with the final scheduled for November 29. Conmebol is yet to announce the final’s host venue. The winners will qualify for the 2029 Club World Cup as well as the Intercontinental Cup.
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