Atletico Mineiro’s forward #09 Deyverson celebrates with Atletico Mineiro’s defender #13 Guilherme … [+] Arana (L) at the end of the Copa Libertadores semi-final second leg football match between Argentina’s River Plate and Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on October 29, 2024.
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November has come and that means it’s almost time for two of the biggest football matches in the South American season; the finals of both the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
Two continental champions will be crowned, but as has been a theme in recent years, the finals are dominated by Brazilian teams
The Copa Libertadores final is taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the end of November, but two Brazilian sides will be sharing the biggest stage on the continent, when Botafogo take on Atlético Mineiro. Mineiro defeated River Plate in the semi finals to rob them of the opportunity of playing a final in their home arena. Botafogo beat Peñarol of Uruguay with ease.
Botafogo are still on course for a Brazilian league title and are searching for their maiden Libertadores title. Mineiro seek their second trophy and are also in the final of the Copa do Brasil. Both sides have excellent players and either team could win this Copa Libertadores final if luck is on their side.
Luiz Henrique (R) of Botafogo celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the match … [+] between Botafogo and Internacional as part of Brasileirao 2024 at Nilton Santos Stadium on July 20, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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In the Copa Sudamericana, Cruzeiro of Brazil will travel to Asuncíon in Paraguay, to face Racing Club of Argentina; the only non-Brazilian team to reach a continental final this year. Cruzeiro defeated Lanús of Argentina in their semi final whilst Racing overcame Corinthians of Brazil.
As much as Brazilian teams are making finals and winning trophies, it is also a trend that teams from Argentina seem to be only the ones capable of challenging them. Peñarol were the only non-Brazilian or Argentinian team of eight tournament semi finalists this year.
A Brazilian team will win the Copa Libertadores this season for the sixth time in a row, and not since 2016 has a team from outside of Brazil or Argentina reached the final of the competition. Does this suggest a dire situation for South American football? How on earth can such dominance be overturned?
This imbalance speaks to both the size and economy of Brazil in particular, and of course of how its club football has seen privatisation in recent years, wage bills have reached a level that blow other nations out of the water. Even the likes of River Plate and Boca Juniors are really struggling to keep up, which leaves us wondering how the future of continental football in South America looks.
Kaio Jorge of Cruzeiro celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Copa CONMEBOL … [+] Sudamericana 2024 Semifinal second leg match between Lanus and Cruzeiro at Estadio Ciudad de Lanus
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Publish date : 2024-11-04 22:45:00
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