Football United

Copa Libertadores group-stage is half-way through. FU will make a review of the 9 groups that compose this stage.

Group 1

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. America (MEX) 4 10
2. Peñarol (URU) 3 4
3. São Caetano (BRA) 4 4
4. The Strongest (BOL) 3 1

America and Peñarol are showing some of their historical rating, and are in front to qualify from group 2, although São Caetano can bother Peñarol. The clash between the two, on April 8th will be decisive for the second place. The Uruguayans have still a match to play against last placed The Strongest.

Group 2

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Once Caldas (COL) 4 9
2. Macaraibo (VEN) 4 5
3. Velez Sarsfield (ARG) 4 4
4. Feniz (URU) 4 4

This group would be thought to give a confortable ride for Velez. But Once Caldas has shown it's strengh as the first phase champion of Colombia, and is close to qualification, if they continue with the current ehxibitions. The other three teams will fight for the other place in the next round, being that Velez Sarsfield seems to have the "less difficult" task, as they have already played both games against Once Caldas.

Group 3

1. Santos Laguna (MEX) 5 11
2. Cruzeiro (BRA) 5 10
3. Caracas (VEN) 5 6
4. Concepción (CHI) 5 1

The Mexican teams are proving their worth in the latin footbal panorama. This a closed group. Santos Laguna and Cruzeiro will decide the standings in their away matches on April 15th.

Group 4

1. LDU (ECU) 4 9
2. São Paulo (BRA) 4 9
3. Alianza Lima (PER) 4 6
4. Cobreloa (CHI) 4 0

Still an open group, with Liga Deportiva Universitara being the strongest opposition to the supposedly favourites São Paulo. Alianza Lima is following close, but has the toughest task for qualification, as they have already played both games against Cobreloa, the disapointing Chilean champions.

Group 5

1. Nacional (URU) 4 8
2. Independiente (ARG) 4 7
3. El Nacional (ECU) 4 4
4. Cienciano (PER) 4 3

Nacional and Independiente lead the group, showing that history still has it’s weight. The clash between the two, in Buenos Aires, on the 25th may clear a few doubts, and raise some others. Much more was expected of Cienciano, after winning the Copa Sudamericana last december, against River Plate.

Group 6

1. River Plate (ARG) 4 10
2. Dep. Táchira (VEN) 4 6
3. Tolima 4 2
4. Libertad (PAR) 4 2

River Plate is practically in the next round, and will most likely finish on top of the group. If Deportivo Táchira achive qualification, they will be one of the surprises of the tournament. Libertad has failed to live up to the expectations as the Paraguayan champion.

Group 7

1. Santos (BRA) 4 10
2. Guaraní (PAR) 4 6
3. Barcelona (ECU) 4 4
4. Jorge Wilstermann (BOL) 4 1

Santos has confirmed the relatively easy qualification that was expected in the group. Guarani and Barcelona will fight for the second place, in the last match clash, on April 14th, in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Group 8

1. Dep. Cali (COL) 3 6
2. Bolivar (BOL) 3 6
3. Boca Juniors (ARG) 3 6
4. Colo Colo (CHI) 3 0

In one of the two “tough” groups. Bolívar as replaced the disapointing Colo Colo (one time Libertadores champion) in the fight for qualification. The Bolivian team as managed to sneak between giants Dep. Cali and Boca Juniors, and will be another suprise if it reaches the second round of the competition. This is the most delayed group and everything is still possible, although Colo Colo have a hard task on their hands.

Group 9

1. Sp. Cristal (PER) 4 7
2. Rosario Central (ARG) 4 7
3. Olimpia (PAR) 4 4
4. Coritiba (BRA) 4 4

This is the other tough group in the competition. The teams are not amongst the South American giants, but they are very similar between themselves, as clearly stated in the table. This has been an unpredictable group since the beginning, and will remain so until the last match has been played.


The group stage is scheduled to end between the 7th and the 22nd of April, has the groups’ are to close successively between these dates. FU will post the final standings of each group and the qualified teams.

The first placed and the 5 best second placed teams will have automatic qualification for the next round (the first knock-out round, to be played in two legs). The other 4 second placed teams wil play a one-leg knock-out game to decide the last two into the next round.

Here is the scheme for the upcoming round:

Second placed qualification

6th best 2nd placed VS 9th best second placed (G1)
7th best 2nd placed VS 8th best second placed (G2)

First Knock-Out round

Winner of G2 VS Group 1 1st placed
Winner of G1 VS Group 2 1st placed
5th best 2nd placed VS Group 3 1st placed
4th best 2nd placed VS Group 4 1st placed
3th best 2nd placed VS Group 5 1st placed
2nd best 2nd placed VS Group 6 1st placed
1st best 2nd placed VS Group 7 1st placed
Group 9 1st placed VS Grou 8 1st placed