Between 2019 and 2024, Brazilian football starred in a sequence of editions with supremacy in the decisive phases of the Copa Libertadores. In three of these seasons, he even had five representatives among the top eight of the competition, which consolidated the country as the protagonist of the tournament.
By 2020, although the balance with the Argentines was remarkable, the national presence remained relevant.
However, the current 2025 edition marks the end of this cycle. For the first time since 2018, clubs in Brazil are not a majority in the quarterfinals, a scenario that saves a configuration that seemed to overcome in South American football.
Eliminations and classification of survivors
Botafogo and Fortaleza, who advanced until the round 16, could not resist eliminating clashes. Rio’s team fell before Ldu, while the Ceará were overcome by Vélez Sarsfield. With this, only Flamengo, Palmeiras and Sao Paulo continue in the controversy of the continental title.
The Wednesday clashes, scheduled for the weeks of 17 and 24 September (time not yet announced), are: Palmeiras x River Plate, Sao Paulo X Ldu, Racing X Vélez Sarsfield and Estudiantes X Flamengo.
The semifinals will take place in the weeks of 22 and 29 October and the final will be played in a single game on November 29, in Lima, in Peru.
Similar history in 2018
The last time Brazil entered the quarterfinals without the majority in 2018. In that edition, Palmeiras, Grêmio and Cruzeiro faced four Argentine and one Chilean clubs.
The campaign ended with the elimination of Palmeiras and Grêmio in the semifinal for River Plate and Boca Juniors, who starred in the Madrid final, won by the Millonarios. Until then, it was the last title not won by a Brazilian team.
Argentine predominance in 2025
In the meantime, the Argentines have taken on a considerable space in the decisive phase. River Plate, Estudiantes, Racing and Vélez constitute half of the classified, recovering the prestige lost in recent years.
In addition to them, Ldu represents Ecuadorian football as the only club outside the two traditional countries still alive in the competition.
Change in the South American scenario
The inversion to the Board of Directors reveals a transformation into the competitive balance of the continent. After six years of Brazilian superiority, the current edition of Libertadores indicates a more plural tournament.
The absence of the Brazilian majority in the quarterfinals not only ends a victorious sequence, but also rekindles the historical dispute with the Argentines for the protagonism in the decisive phases of the tournament of the main club in South America.
Source: Terra
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