1985 Copa Libertadores finals

1985 Copa Libertadores de América finals
Argentinos Juniors, champions
Event1985 Copa Libertadores
2–2 on points
Tied after a play-off
Argentinos Juniors won 5–4 on penalties
First leg
Date17 October 1985
VenueMonumental, Buenos Aires
RefereeJuan F. Escobar (Paraguay)
Attendance50,000
Second leg
Date22 October 1985
VenuePascual Guerrero, Cali
RefereeLuis Félix (Brazil)
Attendance35,350
Play-off
After extra time
Date24 October 1985 (1985-10-24)
VenueDefensores del Chaco, Asunción
RefereeHernán Silva (Chile)
Attendance25,000
1984
1986

The 1985 Copa Libertadores de América finals was the final contested by Argentinian club Argentinos Juniors and Colombian América de Cali. The first leg of the tie was played on 17 October at Estádio Monumental, the second leg played on 22 October at Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero, and the playoff on 24 October at Defensores del Chaco.[1]

After both teams won one game each (by the same score, 1–0), Argentinos Juniors were finally crowned champion in the playoff match held in Asunción. Initially, both sides were tied at 1–1 after extra time. The Argentine side defeated América 5–4 via a penalty shoot-out, winning their first Copa Libertadores title.[2][3]

Format

The finals was played over two legs; home and away. The team that accumulated the most points —two for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss— after the two legs was to be crowned champion. If the two teams were tied on points after the second leg, a playoff at a neutral was to be to be the next tie-breaker. Goal difference was to be used as a last resort.

Qualified teams

Team Previous finals app.
Argentina Argentinos Juniors None
Colombia América de Cali None

Venues

Fltr: Monumental (Buenos Aires), Pascual Guerrero (Cali), and Defensores del Chaco (Asunción) stadiums were the venues for the finals

Match details

First leg

First leg
Argentinos Juniors Argentina1–0Colombia América de Cali
Commisso 40'
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Juan F. Escobar (Paraguay)

Second leg

Second leg
América de Cali Colombia1–0Argentina Argentinos Juniors
Ortiz 4'
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Luis Félix (Brazil)
América de Cali
Argentinos Juniors

Playoff

(left): Emilio Commisso scoring for Argentinos; (right): Enrique Vidallé stops the penalty kick that allowed Argentinos Jrs to won the Cup
Playoff
América de Cali Colombia1–1 (a.e.t.)Argentina Argentinos Juniors
Gareca 42' Report Commisso 37'
Penalties
4–5
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Hernán Silva (Chile)
América de Cali
Argentinos Juniors

Aftermath

I did not see the relevance of that achievement at the time. For me, it meant only one cup else because our team entered to the pitch to win whatever be at stake (...) For a club like Argentinos Juniors, winning a Copa Libertadores is very difficult. The club is not like Boca or River. And something similar happened when we won the Copa Interamericana. Who noticed that we won that cup at Trinidad and Tobago? Nobody.

— Goalkeeper Enrique Vidallé in an interview with La Nación, October 2020 [4]

References

  1. ^ Copa Libertadores 1985 by Pablo Ciullini on RSSSF
  2. ^ Argentinos Juniors, campeón de la Copa Libertadores on Página/12, 24 Oct 2020
  3. ^ La Libertadores de Argentinos Juniors cumple 35 años by Fede González on As, 24 Oct 2020
  4. ^ Mitos y secretos a 35 años de una coronación continental histórica by Pablo Lisotto on La Nación, 24 Oct 2020