1996 Copa Libertadores Victory

Lore & Background

The final was a rematch of the 1986 final which River Plate won 3–1 over two legs. It was both teams' fourth appearance in a Copa Libertadores final; River Plate were looking to win their second title, while América de Cali were looking for their first, after losing three finals in a row between 1985 and 1987.

Reader's Guide

River Plate won their group and subsequently beat Sporting Cristal, San Lorenzo and Universidad de Chile to progress to the final. In the second leg at the Estadio Monumental, watched by a crowd of 73,567, River Plate tied the match early in the opening half thanks to Hernán Crespo. In the second half, the Argentine striker scored once again to put the home side on the lead. No further goals were scored, thus crowning River Plate as winners of their second Copa Libertadores.

Did You Know?

• River Plate's 1996 victory was their second Copa Libertadores title, following their first in 1986.
• The wait from River Plate's 1986 title to their 1996 title was ten years.
• Ramón Díaz managed River Plate to the 1996 Copa Libertadores title, but it is unclear from the source whether he was the first former River player to do so.