Gabriel Barbosa of Flamengo reacts after the second goal of Palmeiras in the first half of extra … [+] time during the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2021 between Palmeiras and Flamengo
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Brazilian teams have dominated the Copa Libertadores for the last five years and it looks like the 2024 edition isn’t going to be any different. Seven Brazilian teams entered the competition and all seven of them have made it through to the knockout rounds. They are all daunting opponents for their continental rivals.
The likes of Flamengo, Palmeiras and Botafogo are setting the standard for football in South America. They have gone toe to toe domestically for the best part of two years now and they are amongst the strong favourites to lift this year’s Copa Libertadores. All three have some of the strongest squads assembled on the continent in recent years.
Unfortunately for both Palmeiras and Botafogo, they have been paired together in the round of 16, but that will be an incredible watch for the neutral at least. Only five points separate top of the table Botafogo and fourth placed Palmeiras in the league. Botafogo recently defeated the side from Sāo Paulo 1-0 but last year Palmeiras pipped them to the title. Fine margins will decide this tie.
Flamengo take on Bolívar of Bolivia in the last 16, and could face Peñarol or The Strongest in the last eight. They are likely to drift into the semis without too many issues, where they could meet the winners of Palmeiras versus Botafogo in another gigantic all-Brazilian clash.
TOPSHOT – Players of Flamengo celebrate with the trophy after winning the Copa Libertadores final, … [+] after the football match between Brazilian teams Flamengo and Athletico Paranaense at the Isidro Romero Carbo Monumental Stadium in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on October 29, 2022.
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Last year’s Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense face fellow Brazilians Grémio in the last 16, on the other side of the draw. Fluminense will do well to avoid relegation in Brazil this year, and won’t finish much higher than mid-table in the league. However, their form has picked up a lot recently and big results against strong opposition has shown that on their day they can still beat anybody in South America.
São Paulo and Clube Atlético Mineiro are two teams that might be going under the radar but they also have the firepower to go all the way in this Copa Libertadores campaign. Paulinho of Mineiro is joint-top scorer in the tournament and São Paulo showed off their knockout credentials by winning the Brazilian domestic cup last season.
Whether it is a good thing for South American football or not is one thing, but there is no denying that Brazilian football has been and is dominating the Copa Libertadores. Can a Brazilian side upset the River Plate fairytale of a home final this season by bringing the trophy back to the Brasileirão for a sixth successive year? You would be incredibly brave to bet against them.
Felipe Melo of Palmeiras lifts the Champions Trophy of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores after the final … [+] match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2021 between Palmeiras and Flamengo at Centenario Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Palmeiras defeated Flamengo by 2-1 in extra time.
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Publish date : 2024-08-13 01:16:00
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