1968 Copa Libertadores

Last updated
1968 Copa Libertadores
1968 Copa Libertadores de América
1968 Copa Libertadores da América
Tournament details
DatesJanuary 27 - May 16
Teams21 (from 10 confederations)
Final positions
Champions Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes (LP) (1st title)
Runners-up Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras
Tournament statistics
Matches played93
Goals scored230 (2.47 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Tupãzinho (11 goals)
1967
1969

The 1968 Copa Libertadores was the ninth edition of the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier association football competition. It was played between January 27 and May 16. A record 21 teams participated in this edition.

Contents

This edition brought the explosive debut of a humble team from the city of La Plata, capital of the Buenos Aires province, that did not find itself in the plateau of Argentine football. Estudiantes de La Plata, an authentic stranger in the highest levels of South American football, surpassed all expectations as they eliminated defending champions Racing and Independiente (two denominated "great" ones in Argentina as well as each having already won the tournament before).

With a talented prospect by the name of Juan Ramón Verón, the pincharatas beat Palmeiras 20 in a playoff after the final series finished 22 on points. Estudiantes conquered the title with an original style which emphasized athleticism and strategic preparation.

Qualified teams

CountryTeamQualification method
CONMEBOL
1 berth
Racing 1967 Copa Libertadores de América winners
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
2 berths
Independiente 1967 Primera División champion
Estudiantes 1967 Primera División runner-up
Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg  Bolivia
2 berths
Jorge Wilstermann 1967 Torneo Nacional champion
Always Ready 1967 Torneo Nacional runner-up
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil
2 berths
Palmeiras 1967 Taça Brasil champion
Náutico 1967 Taça Brasil runner-up
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile
2 berths
Universidad de Chile 1967 Primera División champion
Universidad Católica 1967 Primera División runner-up
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia
2 berths
Deportivo Cali 1967 Campeonato Profesional champion
Millonarios 1967 Campeonato Profesional runner-up
Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador
2 berths
El Nacional 1967 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol Serie A champion
Emelec 1967 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol Serie A runner-up
Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg  Paraguay
2 berths
Guaraní 1967 Primera División champion
Libertad 1967 Primera División runner-up
Flag of Peru.svg  Peru
2 berths
Universitario 1967 Torneo Descentralizado champion
Sporting Cristal 1967 Torneo Descentralizado runner-up
Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay
2 berths
Peñarol 1967 Primera División champion
Nacional 1967 Primera División runner-up
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela
2 berths
Deportivo Portugués 1967 Primera División Venezolana champion
Deportivo Galicia 1967 Primera División Venezolana runner-up

Tie-breaking criteria

At each stage of the tournament teams receive 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and no points for a loss. If two or more teams are equal on points, the following criteria will be applied to determine the ranking in the group stage:

  1. a one-game playoff;
  2. superior goal difference;
  3. draw of lots.

First round

Twenty teams were drawn into five groups of four. In each group, teams played against each other home-and-away. The top two teams in each group advanced to the Second round. Racing, the title holders, had a bye to the Semifinals.

Key to colors in group tables
Group winners and runners-up advanced to the Second round

Group 1

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes 6510123+911
Flag of Argentina.svg Independiente 6213810-25
Flag of Colombia.svg Deportivo Cali 6213610-45
Flag of Colombia.svg Millonarios 611469-33
Independiente Flag of Argentina.svg 2 4 Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes
Bernao Soccerball shade.svg
Artime Soccerball shade.svg
Ribaudo Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg
Echecopar Soccerball shade.svg
Verón Soccerball shade.svg


Millonarios Flag of Colombia.svg 0 1 Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes
Flores Soccerball shade.svg

Deportivo Cali Flag of Colombia.svg 1 0 Flag of Argentina.svg Independiente
Iroldo Soccerball shade.svg

Deportivo Cali Flag of Colombia.svg 1 2 Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes
Manera Soccerball shade.svgo.g.' Bilardo Soccerball shade.svg
Echecopar Soccerball shade.svg




Estudiantes Flag of Argentina.svg 0 0 Flag of Colombia.svg Millonarios


Deportivo Cali Flag of Colombia.svg 1 0 Flag of Colombia.svg Millonarios
Ferreira Soccerball shade.svg


Second
place playoff
Independiente Flag of Argentina.svg 3 2 Flag of Colombia.svg Deportivo Cali
Pastoriza Soccerball shade.svg
Bernao Soccerball shade.svg
Artime Soccerball shade.svg
Iroldo Soccerball shade.svg
Sánchez Soccerball shade.svg

Group 2

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Peru.svg Universitario 6330174+139
Flag of Peru.svg Sporting Cristal 6330115+69
Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Jorge Wilstermann 621358-35
Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Always Ready 6015218-161



Jorge Wilstermann Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg 0 0 Flag of Peru.svg Universitario


Universitario Flag of Peru.svg 1 1 Flag of Peru.svg Sporting Cristal
Challe Soccerball shade.svg Aquije Soccerball shade.svg




Universitario Flag of Peru.svg 6 0 Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Always Ready
Flores Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg
Lobatón Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg
Rojas Soccerball shade.svg
Staukas Soccerball shade.svgo.g.'


Group 3

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Chile.svg Universidad Católica 6411117+49
Flag of Ecuador.svg Emelec 623154+17
Flag of Ecuador.svg El Nacional 621356-15
Flag of Chile.svg Universidad de Chile 6114610-43
Emelec Flag of Ecuador.svg 0 0 Flag of Ecuador.svg El Nacional



Emelec Flag of Ecuador.svg 1 2 Flag of Chile.svg Universidad Católica
Echeverría Soccerball shade.svg Isella Soccerball shade.svg
Gallardo Soccerball shade.svg




Universidad de Chile Flag of Chile.svg 0 0 Flag of Ecuador.svg Emelec

Universidad Católica Flag of Chile.svg 1 1 Flag of Ecuador.svg Emelec
Sarnari Soccerball shade.svg Sosa Soccerball shade.svg

Universidad de Chile Flag of Chile.svg 1 0 Flag of Ecuador.svg El Nacional
Campos Soccerball shade.svg


El Nacional Flag of Ecuador.svg 0 1 Flag of Ecuador.svg Emelec
Mena Soccerball shade.svg

Group 4

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol 632182+68
Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Guaraní 623187+17
Flag of Uruguay.svg Nacional 622295+46
Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Libertad 6114213-113
Peñarol Flag of Uruguay.svg 1 0 Flag of Uruguay.svg Nacional
Spencer Soccerball shade.svg

Guaraní Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg 2 0 Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Libertad
Juárez Soccerball shade.svg
Martínez Soccerball shade.svg



Nacional Flag of Uruguay.svg 4 0 Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Libertad
Morales Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg
Mújica Soccerball shade.svg
Célio Soccerball shade.svg

Peñarol Flag of Uruguay.svg 2 0 Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Guaraní
Spencer Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg

Libertad Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg 1 1 Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Guaraní
Ayala Soccerball shade.svg Juárez Soccerball shade.svg

Nacional Flag of Uruguay.svg 0 0 Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol

Libertad Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg 1 0 Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol
Fleitas Soccerball shade.svg

Guaraní Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg 2 1 Flag of Uruguay.svg Nacional
Ivaldi Soccerball shade.svg
Martínez Soccerball shade.svg
Célio Soccerball shade.svg

Guaraní Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg 1 1 Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol
Juárez Soccerball shade.svg Abbadie Soccerball shade.svg

Libertad Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg 0 2 Flag of Uruguay.svg Nacional
Célio Soccerball shade.svg
Virgili Soccerball shade.svg

Group 5

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras 6510123+911
Flag of Venezuela.svg Deportivo Portugués 6213511-65
Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Náutico 612378-14
Flag of Venezuela.svg Deportivo Galicia 620457-24

Náutico Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg 1 3 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras
Ladeira Soccerball shade.svg Ademir Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg
Tupãzinho Soccerball shade.svg

Deportivo Portugués Flag of Venezuela.svg 1 1 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Náutico
Ramos Soccerball shade.svgIván Soccerball shade.svg

Deportivo Galicia Flag of Venezuela.svg 2 1 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Náutico
Becerra Soccerball shade.svg
Olavo Soccerball shade.svg
Lala Soccerball shade.svg

Deportivo Galicia Flag of Venezuela.svg 1 2 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras
Chacho Soccerball shade.svg Ademir Soccerball shade.svg
Díaz Soccerball shade.svgo.g.'


Náutico Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg 1 0 Flag of Venezuela.svg Deportivo Galicia
Nino Soccerball shade.svg




Palmeiras Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg 0 0 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Náutico

Second round

Ten teams were drawn into three groups, two groups of three and one group of four. In each group, teams played against each other home-and-away. The top team in each group advanced to the Semifinals, along with Racing Club.

Key to colors in group tables
Group winners advanced to the Semifinals

Group A

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes 430142+26
Flag of Argentina.svg Independiente 420273+44
Flag of Peru.svg Universitario 410317-62
Universitario Flag of Peru.svg 1 0 Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes
Lobatón Soccerball shade.svg

Universitario Flag of Peru.svg 0 3 Flag of Argentina.svg Independiente
Pastoriza Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg


Estudiantes Flag of Argentina.svg 1 0 Flag of Argentina.svg Independiente
Flores Soccerball shade.svg

Estudiantes Flag of Argentina.svg 1 0 Flag of Peru.svg Universitario
Verón Soccerball shade.svg

Group B

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol 6420101+910
Flag of Peru.svg Sporting Cristal 624073+48
Flag of Ecuador.svg Emelec 611437-43
Flag of Venezuela.svg Deportivo Portugués 6114312-93


Emelec Flag of Ecuador.svg 0 1 Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol
Spencer Soccerball shade.svg


Emelec Flag of Ecuador.svg 2 0 Flag of Venezuela.svg Deportivo Portugués
Sosa Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg

Sporting Cristal Flag of Peru.svg 0 0 Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol




Peñarol Flag of Uruguay.svg 1 0 Flag of Ecuador.svg Emelec
Cortés Soccerball shade.svg


Deportivo Portugués Flag of Venezuela.svg 2 0 Flag of Ecuador.svg Emelec
Ramos Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg

Group C

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras 430174+36
Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Guaraní 42027704
Flag of Chile.svg Universidad Católica 410369-32



Guaraní Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg 2 0 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras
Juárez Soccerball shade.svg
Martínez Soccerball shade.svg


Semifinals

Four teams were drawn into two groups. In each group, teams played against each other home-and-away. The top team in each group advanced to the Finals.

Semifinal 1

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes 311143+13
Flag of Argentina.svg Racing 311134-13
Estudiantes Flag of Argentina.svg 30 Flag of Argentina.svg Racing
Verón Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg
Perfumo Soccerball shade.svg


Playoff
Racing Flag of Argentina.svg 11 Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes
Cárdenas Soccerball shade.svg Verón Soccerball shade.svg

Estudiantes progressed to the finals due to better goal difference.

Semifinal 2

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras 220031+24
Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol 200213-20
Palmeiras Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg 1 0 Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol
Tupãzinho Soccerball shade.svg

Peñarol Flag of Uruguay.svg 1 2 Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg Palmeiras
Silva Soccerball shade.svg Tupãzinho Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg

Finals

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes 210134-12
Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras 210143+12
Estudiantes Flag of Argentina.svg 21 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras
Verón Soccerball shade.svg83'
Bocha Soccerball shade.svg87'
Servilio Soccerball shade.svg30'

Palmeiras Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg 31 Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes
Tupãzinho Soccerball shade.svg10', Soccerball shade.svg68'
Rinaldo Soccerball shade.svg54'
Verón Soccerball shade.svg72'
Estádio do Pacaembu,
São Paulo
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Domingo Massaro (Chile)

Playoff
Palmeiras Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg 02 Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes
Ribaudo Soccerball shade.svg13'
Verón Soccerball shade.svg82'
Estadio Centenario,
Montevideo
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: César Orozco (Peru)

Champion

Copa Libertadores de América
1968 Winners
Flag of Argentina.svg
Estudiantes
First Title

Top goalscorers

PosPlayerTeamGoals
1 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Tupãzinho Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras 11
2 Flag of Ecuador.svg Alberto Spencer Flag of Uruguay.svg Peñarol 10
3 Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Ramón Verón Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes 9
4 Flag of Argentina.svg Luis Artime Flag of Argentina.svg Independiente 6
5 Flag of Argentina.svg Felipe Ribaudo Flag of Argentina.svg Estudiantes 6
6 Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Víctor Domingo Juárez Flag of Paraguay (1954-1988).svg Guaraní 6
Flag of Peru.svg D. Flores Flag of Peru.svg Universitario 6
Flag of Argentina.svg Juan Carlos Sarnari Flag of Chile.svg Universidad Católica 6
9 Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Servílio Flag of Brazil (1968-1992).svg Palmeiras 5
Flag of Peru.svg Alberto Gallardo Flag of Peru.svg Sporting Cristal 5

Footnotes

A.  ^ The match finished 1-1, but Jorge Wilstermann were declared 0-1 winners after Troncoso's own goal was declared invalid.
B.  ^ The match finished 3-2, but the 2 points were awarded to Deportivo Portugués as Náutico made two substitutions.

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