Copa Libertadores 2018

True. That said, if we restrict the analysis to finalists, the exclusivity of Brazilian and Argentine teams becomes more glaring. I do not know that we'll ever have a streak like 1988-1991, when Nacional, Atl.-Nacional, Olimpia, and Colo Colo won the Libertadores. Since 1992, only once did the final exclude Brazil and Argentina: 2016, when Atl.-Nacional defeated Independiente del Valle. There were 2 same-country finals (2005, São Paulo vs. Atlético Paranaense and 2006, Internacional vs. São Paulo), and it's possible we'll have a third same-country final this year.

This is why Once Caldas in 2004, LDU Quito in 2008, Chivas Guadalajara in 2010, Penãrol in 2011, Nacional (of Paraguay) in 2014, Tigres in 2015, and the 2016 final are memorable. Some, but not all, teams from other countries tend to be less well-funded, so if they assemble squads that can go far, it's a very impressive accomplishment. And that's why sometimes it's fun to root for the "underdog;" São Caetano in 2002 and in 2004, Godoy Cruz in 2011).

 

With amazing matchups like:

Defensor Sporting vs. LA Galaxy!
The Strongest vs. NY Red Bulls!
Carabobo vs. Chicago Fire!

 

Some interesting statistics about this year's semifinalists.

- River and Palmeiras with the best defense of the four, tied at 4 goals allowed
- Grêmio a close second at 5
- Boca last with 7 allowed
- The Brazilians have better offense, but the Argentines' lower goals scored tally shows that it's not how many goals a team scores, but rather, that it simply score more than opponents.
- Grêmio passes the most by far; River has the "worst" passing, but it has the same number of shots on target as Palmeiras does; River thus does manage to get the football close enough to goal to get well-aimed shots.
- Boca has received the least fouls.
- River has committed the most fouls.
- Grêmio is the most disciplined semifinalist: it has fouled the least of the four semifinalists, and has no red cards; and, incidentally, Grêmio has been fouled the most.
- The Argentine semifinalists have received the most yellows (48 combined vs. 31 for both Grêmio and Palmeiras), but Boca has had no expulsions. River and Palmeiras have had 2 red cards each.