Copa Sudamericana's Finals: Relive Every Decisive Match Since 2002

Much is said about the importance of the Libertadores, but it’s a pity for those who limit themselves only to CONMEBOL’s main competition. Since 2002, the Copa Sudamericana Finals have been filled with improbable comebacks, unexpected heroes, and even major upsets — and if you’re someone who enjoys responsible Sports Betting, this tournament is a true goldmine.

In 23 years, seven countries have celebrated winning South America’s second-most important tournament. Argentina leads with ten titles, followed by Brazil with five — nations that will be represented in this year’s final by Lanús and Atlético-MG.

Initially played in the traditional home-and-away format, with each finalist hosting one match, the trophy has been decided in a single match for the past seven years — at a neutral venue chosen by CONMEBOL.

And if you’re counting down the minutes for the 2025 final, here’s something to know: so are we. That’s why we’ve prepared this content revisiting the history of Sudamericana finals so you can enjoy a bit of nostalgia. In the next few days, we’ll cover this year’s final to help you plan your predictions responsibly and respectfully. Deal?

2002: San Lorenzo 4–0 Atlético Nacional

Marking the debut edition of the Copa Sudamericana and still without Brazilian clubs, San Lorenzo and Atlético Nacional contested the tournament’s first final. At a time when Pope Francis was just a distinguished supporter, the Argentines thrashed the Colombians 4–0 at the Atanasio Girardot.

The first leg showed that El Ciclón meant business, opening the scoring just two minutes in with a penalty converted by goalkeeper Sebastián Saja (that’s right — Rogério Ceni wasn’t the only goal-scoring goalkeeper in South America).

Completing the rout were midfielder Pablo Michelini, playmaker Leandro Romagnoli, and forward Rodrigo Astudillo — the tournament’s top scorer with four goals.

In the return leg, Los Verdolagas were unable to overturn the deficit at the Nuevo Gasómetro. The match ended in a goalless draw that crowned the Buenos Aires side as champions.

2003: Cienciano 4–3 River Plate

With Brazilian clubs now participating, the second edition of the Copa Sudamericana showcased one of the biggest upsets in the continent’s history: Cienciano claimed the first (and still only) continental title in Peruvian football — and against the traditional River Plate.

The first leg at the Monumental de Núñez ended in a 3–3 draw with two comebacks. Two goals from defender Giuliano Portilla and one from forward Germán Carty gave Los Imperiales a solid result, while El Millonario fought back with goals from Marcelo Salas and Maxi López (who scored twice).

If the scoreline in Buenos Aires left everything wide open, the Monumental Stadium of the National University of San Agustín witnessed a fiery second leg. Cienciano finished the match with two players sent off — midfielders Juan Carlos La Rosa and Julio García — but a goal by defender Carlos Lugo sealed the 1–0 victory, writing history in Arequipa.

2004: Boca Juniors 2 x 1 Bolívar

Between the suffocating altitude of La Paz and the fiery atmosphere of La Bombonera, Boca Juniors showed why it is one of the continent’s giants and claimed the 2004 Copa Sudamericana title over Bolívar — writing yet another golden chapter in its history.

The Hernando Siles Stadium hosted the first leg, at 3,600 meters above sea level. At the 30-minute mark of the first half, forward Horacio Chiorazzo scored the winning goal in Bolívar’s 1–0 victory. Despite the favorable result, the narrow scoreline wasn’t enough to secure the title, as Boca won 2–0 at La Bombonera with goals from strikers Martín Palermo and Carlos Tévez.

The title crowned the club’s golden generation, which had already won the Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup the previous year. It also marked the beginning of Argentina’s dominance in the tournament, as the country is the competition’s most successful champion.

2005: Boca Juniors 2 (4) x 2 (3) Pumas

The following year, Boca Juniors achieved an unprecedented feat: becoming the first team to win the Copa Sudamericana in back-to-back seasons. At the time, Mexican clubs still participated in CONMEBOL tournaments, and Pumas was the Argentinians’ opponent in the final.

Led by coach Alfio Basile, Boca opened the scoring at the Estadio Universitario de Colima with striker Rodrigo Palacio. However, forward Joaquín Botero came off the bench to net the equalizer for a 1–1 draw.

At La Bombonera, the score in regular time was the same: Martín Palermo scored for the hosts, but early in the second half, forward Bruno Marioni tied it with a penalty. With the aggregate score level, goalkeeper Pato Abbondanzieri shined and even converted his penalty in the shootout, sealing a 4–3 victory and Boca’s second consecutive title.

2006: Colo-Colo 3 x 3 Pachuca

For the first time, an Argentine club did not reach the Copa Sudamericana final. In 2006, Pachuca challenged Colo-Colo and secured the only CONMEBOL tournament title ever won by a Mexican club.

The first leg at Estadio Hidalgo saw midfielder Andrés Chitiva open the scoring for the hosts, but forward Humberto Suazo equalized in the second half. El Cacique then had the chance to decide at home, with over 70,000 fans filling Estadio Nacional in Santiago.

Suazo even opened the scoring again — his tenth goal of the tournament, securing himself as its top scorer. However, Los Tuzos reacted in the second half with goals from midfielders Gabriel Caballero and Christian Giménez. Even after Chitiva was sent off following the comeback, Pachuca held off Colo-Colo’s pressure and won 2–1 — writing an unprecedented chapter in the competition’s history.

2007: Arsenal de Sarandí 4 x 4 América

Another year of surprises came in 2007, when modest Arsenal de Sarandí overcame favorites América de México and won its first international title — decided on the away-goals rule, as the Argentinians scored more goals on the road.

Playing at Estadio Azteca, El Arse wasn’t intimidated by the more than 63,000 fans and won 3–2. Forward Papu Gómez scored twice, defender Aníbal Matellán added another, while midfielder Alejandro Argüello and striker Salvador Cabañas scored for the favorites.

The second leg at Estadio Juan Domingo Perón was full of emotion: defender Christian Díaz scored an own goal, and midfielder Juan Carlos Silva extended the lead for Las Águilas. But in the 84th minute, midfielder Martín Andrizzi scored the title-winning goal for Arsenal — celebrated by 18,000 fans, even with a 2–1 home defeat.

2008: Internacional 2 x 1 Estudiantes

After seven years, Brazil finally had a finalist: Internacional, who delivered the country’s first Sudamericana title. The opponent was Estudiantes, in a clash with all the intensity and gamesmanship expected of a continental final.

At the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, Colorado secured a strong advantage with a 1–0 win thanks to midfielder Alex’s goal. Even after the sending-off of midfielder Pablo Guiñazú, the team from Porto Alegre returned home with the lead.

Against an opponent that would win the Libertadores the following year, Inter faced a tough match at Beira-Rio. Defender Agustín Alayes scored for El León, and the tie on aggregate (and on away goals) sent the decision to extra time. Despite the tension, striker Nilmar scored in the second half of extra time, sealing the 1–1 draw — and the title for the Brazilians.

2009: LDU Quito 5 x 4 Fluminense

The 2009 Copa Sudamericana Final brought back the same matchup from the previous year’s Libertadores decider: LDU Quito and Fluminense met again for the first time since the Ecuadorians lifted the continental title at the Maracanã.

After a tragic start to the season, Fluminense recovered and made a late push to escape relegation. Returning to the Estadio de Liga Deportiva Universitaria, the Brazilian side opened the scoring in the first minute with midfielder Marquinho. However, midfielder Edison Méndez scored three times and led the comeback (and rout) to 5–1, with additional goals from defender Ulises de la Cruz and forward Franklin Salas.

In Rio de Janeiro, the hosts needed another historic comeback — and almost pulled it off. Defender Gum, midfielder Diguinho and striker Fred scored in a 3–0 win that nearly overturned the first-leg deficit.

2010: Independiente 3 (5) x 3 (3) Goiás

Another Brazil vs. Argentina final came in 2010, when surprising Goiás became the first team from the state to reach a continental final. Despite a poor Brasileirão campaign (and relegation after the tournament), the Esmeraldino had a chance to be crowned continental champions against the traditional Independiente — the biggest Libertadores winner, with seven titles.

In the first leg at Serra Dourada, Artur Neto’s team won 2–0 with goals from striker Rafael Moura and forward Otacílio Neto. To make things worse for the visitors, striker Andrés Silvera was sent off in the second half and couldn’t help in the attempt to reverse the result.

Despite the setback, the match in Avellaneda showed the strength of El Rojo, who won 3–1. Defender Julián Velázquez opened the scoring and, although Rafael Moura equalized shortly after, forward Facundo Parra found the net twice. In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Harlei couldn’t save Goiás, and the “King of Cups” ended a 15-year title drought.

2011: Universidad de Chile 4 x 0 LDU Quito

The 2011 Copa Sudamericana marked the rise of a new continental powerhouse: Jorge Sampaoli’s Universidad de Chile, who won the first title for a Chilean club — and did so with an unbeaten campaign over LDU Quito.

La U showed maturity by winning 1–0 at Rodrigo Paz Delgado, overcoming the altitude that often troubles visitors in Quito. In the second leg at Estadio Nacional in Santiago, the Chileans dominated completely and won 3–0, with two goals from Vargas and one from midfielder Gustavo Lorenzetti.

Universidad de Chile had a devastating campaign: nine wins and only one draw. Vargas finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 11 goals, while Chile broke a 20-year drought without a continental title.

2012: São Paulo 2 x 0 Tigre

Soccer and controversy in equal measure describe the 2012 Final, called by some “the match that never ended.” São Paulo arrived at the decider as a traditional force in international competitions and faced Tigre from Argentina.

The first leg at La Bombonera ended 0–0 in a tense match. Each team had a player sent off in the 14th minute: striker Luís Fabiano for São Paulo and defender Alejandro Donatti for the Matador.

At the Morumbi, more than 67,000 fans saw São Paulo build a strong advantage in the first half with goals from forward Osvaldo and midfielder Lucas Moura — who was playing his farewell match before joining PSG and was named player of the tournament. Amid rising tension, a fight in the locker rooms led Tigre to refuse to return for the second half, resulting in São Paulo being awarded the club’s second Sudamericana title.

2013: Lanús 3 x 1 Ponte Preta

Three years later, Brazil had another underdog in the Sudamericana Final: Ponte Preta, the first team from São Paulo’s countryside to reach a continental decider. The opponent was Argentina’s Lanús.

The first leg at Pacaembu saw defender Paolo Goltz open the scoring for the visitors. Midfielder Fellipe Bastos equalized for Ponte Preta late in the match, ending it 1–1 and leaving everything open.

The second leg at Estadio Ciudad de Lanús showed the dominance of Los Granate. Led by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the Argentinians won 2–0 with goals from midfielder Víctor Ayala and striker Ismael Blanco. Jorginho’s team had to settle for the runner-up finish and ended the season relegated in the Brasileirão.

2014: River Plate 3 x 1 Atlético Nacional

Three years after their traumatic relegation to the second division, River Plate completed their rebuilding process and began the Marcelo Gallardo era with the Copa Sudamericana title — reigniting their continental dominance. The opponent was Atlético Nacional, also chasing its first Sudamericana trophy.

The first leg in Medellín saw Los Verdolagas take the field at Atanasio Girardot expecting to build an advantage. They opened the scoring with striker Orlando Berrío, but defender Leonardo Pisculichi equalized for River Plate.

At Monumental de Núñez, El Millonario, backed by 60,000 fans, showed its strength. Defenders Gabriel Mercado and Germán Pezzella scored in a lethal performance, sealing a 2–0 win and an unbeaten championship run — eight wins, two draws, and the end of a 17-year continental title drought.

2015: Santa Fe 0 (3) x 0 (1) Huracán

For the first time, a Colombian team won the Copa Sudamericana: Santa Fe, who defeated the Argentine side Huracán. Both teams placed a player among the tournament’s top scorers, as strikers Wilson Morelo and Ramón Ábila each scored five goals.

Reading that, it may sound like a high-scoring final, but the reality was the complete opposite: zero goals in 210 minutes at Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó and Estadio El Campín. Ábila was even sent off in extra time, making things more difficult for El Globo.

In the penalty shootout, El Cardenal was flawless and converted all attempts. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Róbinson Zapata shined, saving three penalties and sealing the 3–1 win.

2016: Chapecoense x Atlético Nacional

Time to recall one of the most tragic chapters in South American football history: the plane crash of LaMia Flight 2933, which was carrying Chapecoense to Medellín for the final against Atlético Nacional. Seventy-one people died in the crash, with only six survivors — players Alan Ruschel, Jakson Follmann, and Neto, journalist Rafael Henzel, flight attendant Ximena Suárez, and flight technician Erwin Tumiri.

In a historic act of solidarity, the Colombian club requested that CONMEBOL award the title to Chape. The Atanasio Girardot hosted 45,000 Atlético Nacional fans paying tribute to the team from Santa Catarina, an event also attended by authorities such as Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister José Serra and Medellín’s mayor Federico Gutiérrez.

2017: Independiente 3 x 2 Flamengo

Before becoming the powerhouse it is today, Flamengo was in the middle of a rebuilding process that nearly delivered trophies a bit earlier — like in the 2017 Sudamericana final, played against Independiente.

Coached by Reinaldo Rueda, the Rubro-Negro struck first in Avellaneda: Réver scored after nine minutes. However, midfielder Maximiliano Meza and striker Emmanuel Gigliotti turned the game around, ending 2–1.

The match in the Maracanã was also balanced. Midfielder Lucas Paquetá put the Brazilians ahead, but soon after, striker Ezequiel Barco equalized from the penalty spot, securing El Rojo’s second Sudamericana title.

2018: Athletico Paranaense 2 (4) x 2 (3) Junior Barranquilla

The 2018 edition marked the end of an era: it was the last final played over two legs and the farewell for Athletico Paranaense’s old badge — and it ended in style, as the Curitiba side became champions over Junior Barranquilla.

Playing at Estadio Metropolitano, striker Pablo opened the scoring for the Furacão, but the lead lasted only two minutes because forward Yony González equalized for El Tiburón.

The 1–1 scoreline wasn’t exclusive to the first leg — it repeated itself at Arena da Baixada: Pablo scored again, but striker Teo Gutiérrez leveled the match. In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Santos and defender Thiago Heleno stood out, with the latter converting the decisive kick to seal the 4–3 win.

2019: Independiente del Valle 3 x 1 Colón

The Paraguayan capital, Asunción, hosted the first single-match Copa Sudamericana final. Independiente del Valle and Colón played under heavy rain at Estadio General Pablo Rojas to determine which club would claim an unprecedented title.

The Equatorians, coached by Spaniard Miguel Ángel Ramírez, came out on top with authority, winning 3–1. Defender Luis León and forward Jhon Sánchez built a comfortable lead, and although the Sabaleros tried a late reaction with a last-minute goal from defender Emanuel Olivera, forward Cristian Dájome struck in stoppage time to confirm the victory for Los Rayados del Valle.

2020: Defensa y Justicia 3 x 0 Lanús

Played on January 23, 2021, without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Sudamericana final took place at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba. Defensa y Justicia and Lanús fought to become the Argentine champion on home soil — two teams that had been exciting throughout the competition.

On the pitch, however, Hernán Crespo’s side completely dominated the match and won 3–0. Defender Adonis Frías opened the scoring, while forwards Washington Camacho and Braian Romero secured a historic and undefeated title for Defe.

2021: Athletico Paranaense 1 x 0 Red Bull Bragantino

Montevideo hosted the only Copa Sudamericana final between two Brazilian teams. The Estadio Centenario was the stage for the match between the emerging Red Bull Bragantino and Athletico Paranaense, which secured its second title three years after conquering the continent.

Better for the Furacão, which won 1–0 with a goal from forward Nikão in the 29th minute. Massa Bruta tried, but couldn’t equalize and fell short.

2022: Independiente del Valle 2 x 0 São Paulo

Córdoba once again hosted a Copa Sudamericana final in 2022, this time with fans. Independiente del Valle and São Paulo faced off at the Mario Kempes Stadium with both teams hoping to win their second title — a goal achieved by the Ecuadorians with a 2–0 victory.

Coached by Martín Anselmi, the Ecuadorian side won convincingly, with forward Lautaro Díaz and midfielder Lorenzo Faravelli standing out — each with one goal and one assist. São Paulo, led by club idol Rogério Ceni, created more chances but couldn’t get past goalkeeper Moisés Ramirez and lost Jonathan Calleri and Diego Costa to red cards.

2023: LDU Quito 1 (4) x 1 (3) Fortaleza

Another final in Uruguay, this time in Maldonado. The Domingo Burgueño Stadium saw Fortaleza take northeastern Brazil to its first continental final, played against LDU Quito.

Leão do Pici took the lead early in the second half with forward Lucero, but midfielder Lisandro Alzugaray secured the 1–1 draw. In the penalty shootout, Thiago Galhardo, Tinga and Yago Pikachu kept Brazilian hopes alive, but the Ecuadorians recovered and won the shootout 4–3 — claiming their second title.

2024: Racing 3 x 1 Cruzeiro

The most recent Copa Sudamericana final, the 2024 edition returned to the General Pablo Rojas Stadium in Asunción. Racing arrived dreaming of ending a long wait for continental glory, while Cruzeiro hoped to crown its return to competing for titles after difficult years.

Showing confidence and authority, La Academia opened the scoring with midfielder Agustín Almendra and forward Adrián Martínez. Striker Kaio Jorge pulled one back for Cruzeiro early in the second half, but Fernando Diniz’s team couldn’t beat goalkeeper Gabriel Arias again. In stoppage time, forward Roger Martínez sealed the 3–1 win for the Argentinians.

2025: Lanús x Atlético-MG

We’ve talked a lot about the past — now it’s time to talk about the future: the Copa Sudamericana 2025 final, which will be played on November 22 at 5:00 p.m. CONMEBOL initially planned to host the match in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, but changed the venue to the Paraguayan capital — this time at the Defensores del Chaco, also in Asunción.

Lanús will play its third final and aims to win its second title after 12 years. Atlético-MG, on the other hand, reaches the final for the first time and dreams of a historic victory. There are still a few days left before the match, and you can already start planning your bets — since Ordinance MESP No. 125/2024 authorizes betting on football. While you wait for our full guide, you can browse the Sports Betting Encyclopedia to prepare.

And don’t forget: betting is entertainment, not investment, and only for those 18 or older. Study data, statistics and markets to plan your experience, and play responsibly — since the risks to your financial and mental health are far worse than watching your team lose a final.

Ready to enjoy the decisive atmosphere that only CONMEBOL teams can deliver? Then bet responsibly on the 2025 Copa Sudamericana Final at Blaze and watch history being made!