The Copa Libertadores de América is a tournament that has pitted the best clubs from South America since 1960. Initially, it only involved champions, but from 1966 onwards, it also included runners-up. A significant milestone was Deportivo...See moreThe Copa Libertadores de América is a tournament that has pitted the best clubs from South America since 1960. Initially, it only involved champions, but from 1966 onwards, it also included runners-up. A significant milestone was Deportivo Cali's participation in 1978, under the guidance of Carlos Salvador Bilardo, becoming the first Colombian team to reach a Copa Libertadores final. During that year, Deportivo Cali overcame prominent teams in South American football such as Alianza Lima, Cerro Porteño, and Peñarol, but lost the final against Boca Juniors at La Bombonera by 4-0. It is noteworthy that Bilardo is the only World Cup-winning coach to have managed a Colombian team. In the 1980s, the dominance shifted to América de Cali, which became the only Colombian team to reach three consecutive Copa Libertadores finals in 1985, 1986, and 1987. The 1987 final was particularly dramatic as América de Cali faced Peñarol from Montevideo in Chile, and a defensive error allowed Aguirre to snatch the title for the Uruguayans in the final seconds of the match. Atlético Nacional became the first Colombian team to win the Copa Libertadores. Facing Olimpia from Paraguay, the title was decided in Bogotá, at the Nemesio Camacho El Campín stadium, in a third match that was settled from the penalty spot. This was a moment of joy for the Antioquia-based team led by Francisco Maturana, with René Higuita and Leonel Álvarez standing out as protagonists. Written by
Telepacífico
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