1996 Copa Libertadores finals
The 1996 Copa Libertadores finals were the final matches of the 1996 Copa Libertadores, South America's primary club football competition. The two-legged event was contested between América de Cali of Colombia and River Plate of Argentina. The first leg was played at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero, Cali, on 19 June 1996 and the second leg was played on 26 June 1996 at the Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires. Both teams were appearing in their fourth Copa Libertadores final.
Each club needed to progress through the group stage and knockout rounds to reach the final, playing 12 matches in total. América de Cali won their group and faced Minervén, Junior and Grêmio before reaching the final. River Plate also won their group and subsequently beat Sporting Cristal, San Lorenzo and Universidad de Chile to progress to the final.
A crowd of 45,326 observed the first leg at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero, in which América de Cali took the lead in the series courtesy of the lone goal scored by Antony de Ávila. Watched by a crowd of 73,567 at the Estadio Monumental, 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 his team on the lead. No further goals were scored, thus crowning River Plate as winners of their second Copa Libertadores.
Qualified teams
Venues
Match summary
First leg
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