Copa Libertadores final: what you need to know

Leading up to the Copa Libertadores final (Flamengo v. River Plate), we are sending out this special issue of the Brazil Sports newsletter with everything you need to know about Saturday’s big game. Happy reading!

The Grand Finale

While not as glamorous as Europe’s Champions League and lacking a wealth of world-class players, the Copa Libertadores final is the most anticipated sporting event of the year in South America. On Saturday, November 23, Brazilian champions-in-waiting Flamengo will take on current holders River Plate in Lima to battle for the South American crown.

What’s special about it? For the first time ever, the Copa Libertadores will be decided in a single game instead of over two legs, in an attempt to turn the game into more of a global event. The strategy might just have worked, as it was announced on Thursday that the match will be broadcast live on BBC 2 in the UK. Moreover, the game will see the continent’s two best sides face off against one another—a stroke of fortune which is no guarantee in knockout tournaments.

When and where. Initially scheduled to take place in Santiago, the game was moved to the Peruvian capital of Lima, due to the wave of street protests which have engulfed Chile for weeks now. Kickoff is at 5 pm, Brasília time (3 pm U.S. EST).

How to watch. You can watch a Flamengo v. River Plate free live stream in either English or Spanish on FuboTV. Sign up now for a free 24-hour trial.

How did they get here?

The two teams’ preparation has been similar. Both flew to Lima on Wednesday, and are staying in hotels just 500 meters apart. That should prevent a classic ploy of South American fans: setting off fireworks next to their rivals’ hotel to keep them from sleeping the night...