Copa Libertadores: 2025| Schedule| Winners| Standings

The 2025 Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores marks the 66th edition of South America’s premier club football competition. With 47 teams from 10 associations battling for continental glory, the tournament promises drama, rivalries, surprises, and unforgettable moments. From the qualifying rounds in February to the final showdown in Lima in November, here’s a complete rundown: schedule, current standings, past winners, and what makes this edition special.

What Is Copa Libertadores?

Before diving in: the Copa Libertadores is CONMEBOL’s flagship club competition, often compared to Europe’s Champions League in prestige for South American clubs. It provides not just a chance for the trophy, but for international exposure, financial rewards, and qualification to other global tournaments like the FIFA Club World Cup and the Recopa Sudamericana.

Overview — 2025 Edition in Numbers

Schedule and Phases

The tournament is structured in multiple phases: qualifying (first, second, third stages), group stage, and then knockout rounds (round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final). Here’s how it unfolds:

• First Stage: 4–6 February (first legs); 11–13 February (second legs)

• Second Stage: 25–27 February Wikipedia

• Third Stage: 4–6 March; return 11–13 March

• Group Stage: begins mid-March; six matchdays: early April to late May (1–3 April; 8–10 April; 22–24 April; 6–8 May; 13–15 May; 27–29 May)

• Round of 16: 12-14 August / 19-21 August

• Quarter-finals: 23-25 September

• Semi-finals: 28-30 October

• Final: 29 November 2025 in Lima

Current Standings (Group Stage)

As of the latest group stage results, here are the teams leading their groups and those who have qualified for the knockout rounds.

Other Notables in Standings

• Teams like Central Córdoba (Argentina) and U. de Chile have performed decently in their groups but did not make it to the top two.

• Palmeiras have been especially dominant, topping Group G with a perfect record (6-0-0) and a strong goal difference.

Final Stages — The Knockouts

After the group stage, the top two teams from each group moved into the final stages. Here’s the bracket outline so far:

• Round of 16: Matches played in mid to late August. 16 teams compete in home-and-away format.

• Quarter-finals: 23-25 September (second legs)

• Semi-finals: Late October

• Final: Single match on 29 November at Estadio Monumental in Lima.

Past Winners & Defending Champion

While the 2025 champion is yet to be decided (final will be at the end of November), here’s the recent history:

• Defending Champion (2024): Botafogo of Brazil won their first ever Libertadores title in 2024 by defeating Atlético Mineiro 3-1 in the final.

• What’s at Stake in 2025: The winner gains not only the trophy, but also qualification for:

  • The 2026 Recopa Sudamericana (versus the 2025 Copa Sudamericana winner).

  • Automatic qualification for the group stage of the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

  • Inclusion in future international club competitions (FIFA Club World Cup etc.) under CONMEBOL rules.

Key Players, Moments & Statistics

To understand how the competition is shaping up, these are some highlights:

• Top Scorer: So far, Adrián Martínez of Racing is leading with 7 goals.

• Standout Teams:

  • Palmeiras have been almost flawless in their group phase, sending a strong signal to their rivals.

  • São Paulo, Estudiantes de La Plata, and LDU Quito also showed early strength.

• Upsets & Surprises:

  • Botafogo, the defending champions, were eliminated in the round of 16 by LDU Quito.

  • Some traditional powerhouses have had shaky starts, or had to rely on late group-stage games to secure qualification.

• Goal Statistics:

  • The tournament so far has crossed 300 goals.

  • Goal differences in some groups are large, especially where dominant sides have run away with many wins.

What to Watch From Here

With the knockout rounds underway, here are things to keep your eyes on:

1. Matchups: The draws have led to some classic rival confrontations. Teams with history, fans with passion. Big away goals or tight contests could decide who progresses.

2. Home Advantage: Which clubs can defend well at home? Which away matches will they turn into advantage? In Libertadores, playing in front of home fans can be crucial.

3. Injuries & Squad Depth: As the tournament progresses into the latter months, fatigue, injuries, and depth of squad become deciding factors.

4. Tactical Flexibility: Managers who can adapt during two-legged ties often survive (or even thrive). Teams which can switch tactics for away vs home legs may have the edge.

5. Final in Lima: The Estadio Monumental in Lima is a historic venue. Conditions (altitude, travel, fan base) could influence the final.

What Makes 2025 Special

• The diversity of teams: 47 clubs, including emerging sides, traditional giants, and those from smaller associations — all bringing distinct styles.

• Drawn out qualifying rounds ensure that some underdog stories begin very early.

• High scoring matches and tight groups have created drama even in the group stage.

• The final being a single match in a neutral venue adds weight to that one game — every decision matters.

Summary

• Copa Libertadores 2025 stretches from early February through 29 November, culminating in a final at Lima, Peru.

• Forty-seven clubs across South America vie for the trophy. Several teams have already qualified for the knockout rounds after strong group stage performances.

• Defending champions Botafogo are out; new contenders — Palmeiras, River Plate, Estudiantes, LDU Quito, Racing Club among them — are in hot form.

• The battle ahead (quarter-finals, semi-finals, final) will test squads, tactics, and nerves.

Looking Ahead: Predictions & What Could Happen

While we can’t know who will lift the trophy in November, we can make educated guesses based on present form:

• Favorites: Palmeiras look strong; River Plate and Estudiantes have pedigree; Racing Club’s top scorer Adrián Martínez is a game-changer.

• Wildcards: LDU Quito is capable of upsets. Some surprise qualifiers from the group stages could cause shocks.

• Potential Finalists: Based on form and current standings, a semifinal might include a Brazilian stronghold vs an Argentine club. Lima final likely to be tight.