Why Colombian teams can face each other in the Libertadores groups
It hasn't happened in five years. Since 2021, the group stage of the Copa Libertadores has not had the participation of the four Colombian teams that, in theory, secure a spot to enter the continental tournament. That time Santa Fe, América de Cali, Junior, and Atlético Nacional did it.
TL;DR
- Four Colombian teams (Santa Fe, Junior, DIM, Tolima) qualified for the Copa Libertadores group stage, a first in five years.
- Santa Fe and Junior qualified directly as league champions, while DIM and Tolima advanced through qualifying rounds.
- DIM eliminated Liverpool and Juventud de Las Piedras, while Tolima defeated Deportivo Táchira and O’Higgins.
- The draw for the group stage is scheduled for March 19th.
- There's a possibility of two Colombian teams facing each other in the group stage due to their seeding in the draw (DIM and Tolima in pot 4, Santa Fe and Junior in pot 3).