The 1997 edition of Copa Libertadores was won by Cruzeiro of Brazil, after defeating Sporting Cristal of Peru in the final. This was Cruzeiro's second title, their first being the 1976 edition. Cruzeiro's 1997 championship is the only time any club has won the Libertadores after losing the first 3 matches in the competition.
Teams AssociationTeam Entry stageQualification method ArgentinaRiver Plate Round of 161996 Copa Libertadores championsVélez Sarsfield Group stage1995 Apertura, 1996 Clausura championsRacing 1995 Apertura runners-up BoliviaBolívar Group stage1996 Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano championsOriente Petrolero 1996 Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano runners-up BrazilGrêmio Group stage1996 Brasileirão Série A championsCruzeiro 1996 Copa do Brasil champions ChileColo-Colo Group stage1996 Primera División of Chile championsUniversidad Católica 1996 Liguilla para Copa Libertadores winners ColombiaDeportivo Cali Group stage1995–96 Categoría Primera A championsMillonarios 1995–96 Categoría Primera A runners-up EcuadorEl Nacional Group stage1996 Serie A de Ecuador championsEmelec 1996 Serie A de Ecuador runners-up ParaguayCerro Porteño Group stage1996 Primera División championsGuaraní 1996 Primera División runners-up PeruSporting Cristal Group stage1996 Torneo Descentralizado championsAlianza Lima 1996 Liguilla para Copa Libertadores winners UruguayNacional Group stage1996 Liguilla para Copa Libertadores winnersPeñarol 1996 Liguilla para Copa Libertadores play-off winners VenezuelaMinervén Group stage1995–96 Primera División championsMineros de Guayana 1995–96 Primera División runners-up
Group stage River Plate bye to the second round as holders.
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Bracket
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Finals
Champion
Top goalscorers 11 goals
Alberto Acosta
9 goals
Antonio Vidal González
8 goals
Ivo Basay
Broadcasting rights Americas Latin America: Sportsnet, TSN, TVC Sports, Cable Mágico Deportes and Best Cable Sports Caribbean: Flow Sports Peru: Global Televisión
External links
Copa Libertadores 1997 by Karel Stokkermans at RSSSF