Copa Libertadores 2024 Semifinals: River Plate, Peñarol Aim to End Brazil’s Dominance

The 2024 Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores semifinals are set to kick off this week, marking a crucial stage in the prestigious South American club tournament. The competition, often likened to the UEFA Champions League, sees the top teams from South America vying for continental glory. This year, the semifinal matchups feature River Plate from Argentina against Atletico Mineiro from Brazil, and Botafogo from Brazil facing Peñarol from Uruguay.

River Plate, under the guidance of coach Marcelo Gallardo, is the only remaining team from Argentina and is seeking to disrupt Brazil’s five-year dominance in the tournament. Gallardo, who previously led River Plate to the 2018 title, aims to add a third Copa Libertadores trophy to his resume. The team faces Atletico Mineiro, which has a strong recent record and includes notable players like Hulk and Gustavo Paiva. The first leg of this matchup will take place in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on October 22, with the second leg scheduled for Buenos Aires on October 29.

In the other semifinal, Botafogo, currently leading the Brazilian league, will face Peñarol, a four-time champion of the Copa Libertadores. Peñarol, led by coach Diego Aguirre, has not won the tournament since 1987 but has shown significant resilience by eliminating favorites like Flamengo in the previous round. The first leg of this matchup will be held in Rio de Janeiro on October 23, with the second leg in Montevideo on October 30.

The final of the tournament is set to take place on November 30 at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, adding an extra layer of motivation for River Plate, who will have home advantage if they advance. The matches will be broadcast in the United States on beIN Sports, Sling TV, FuboTV, and Fanatiz.

Brazilian clubs have dominated the Copa Libertadores for five consecutive years, but the presence of River Plate and Peñarol in the semifinals suggests that this year could see a break in this dominance. The upcoming matches promise to be highly competitive, with both sets of semifinals featuring teams with rich histories and strong current form.