2008 Copa Sudamericana


The 2008 Copa Sudamericana de Clubes was the seventh edition of the Copa Sudamericana football tournament. The draw for the tournament took place on June 10, 2008 in Buenos Aires and the competition was played between July 30 and December 3. Arsenal de Sarandí were the defending champions, having won the trophy the previous season. Brazilian side Internacional won the 2008 tournament, becoming the first Brazilian winners of the trophy.

Qualified teams

A total of 34 teams are participating in the 2008 Copa Sudamericana, from 12 associations.
AssociationTeamQualify method
Argentina
6 + 1 berths
Arsenal2007 Copa Sudamericana champion
Argentina
6 + 1 berths
Boca JuniorsInvitee
Argentina
6 + 1 berths
River PlateInvitee
Argentina
6 + 1 berths
Estudiantes2007–08 Primera División 2nd place
Argentina
6 + 1 berths
San Lorenzo2007–08 Primera División 4th place
Argentina
6 + 1 berths
Argentinos Juniors2007–08 Primera División 5th place
Argentina
6 + 1 berths
Independiente2007–08 Primera División 6th place
Bolivia
2 berths
Bolívar2007 Apertura & Clausura Runners-up Playoff runner-up
Bolivia
2 berths
Blooming2007 Apertura & Clausura 3rd place Playoff winners
Brazil
8 berths
São Paulo2007 Série A champion
Brazil
8 berths
Grêmio2007 Série A 6th place
Brazil
8 berths
Palmeiras2007 Série A 7th place
Brazil
8 berths
Atlético Mineiro2007 Série A 8th place
Brazil
8 berths
Botafogo2007 Série A 9th place
Brazil
8 berths
Vasco da Gama2007 Série A 10th place
Brazil
8 berths
Internacional2007 Série A 11th place
Brazil
8 berths
Atlético Paranaense2007 Série A 12th place
Chile
2 berths
Ñublense2008 Apertura league stage 1st place
Chile
2 berths
Universidad Católica2008 Apertura league stage 2nd place
Colombia
2 berths
Deportivo Cali2007 Reclasificación 4th place
Colombia
2 berths
América2007 Reclasificación 5th place
Ecuador
2 berths
LDU Quito2007 Serie A Second Stage winner
Ecuador
2 berths
Deportivo Quito2008 Serie A First Stage winner
Paraguay
2 berths
Libertad2007 Primera División champion
Paraguay
2 berths
Olimpia2007 Primera División 2nd best-placed non-champion
Peru
2 berths
Sport Áncash2007 Descentralizado 2nd best-placed non-champion
Peru
2 berths
Universitario2007 Descentralizado 3rd best-placed non-champion
Uruguay
2 berths
Defensor Sporting2007–08 Uruguayan Primera División champion
Uruguay
2 berths
River Plate2008 Liguilla 4th place
Venezuela
2 berths
Aragua2007–08 Copa Venezuela champion
Venezuela
2 berths
Maracaibo2007–08 Primera División 2nd best-placed non-finalist
Mexico
2 berths
GuadalajaraBest-placed eligible team in 2008 Clausura
Mexico
2 berths
San Luis2nd best-placed eligible team in 2008 Clausura
Honduras
1 berth
MotaguaInvitee

Preliminary Stage

The Preliminary Stage opened the Copa Sudamericana. All the second berths of 8 South American football associations contested this round. The four winners advanced to the First Round. Team #1 played at home first.

First stage

The First Stage consisted of twenty-eight teams each playing two-legged matches. Twenty-four teams qualified directly to this round. The fourteen winners advanced to the Round of 16. Team #1 played at home first.

Knockout stages

Indicates that the team plays at home for the first leg

Round of 16

The Second Stage was the Round of 16, played by the fourteen winners from the First Round, plus River Plate and Boca Juniors. As in the First Round, these teams played two-legged matches. Team #1 played at home first.

Quarterfinals

The Quarterfinals was played by the eight winners from the Round of 16. As in the First Round, these teams played two-legged matches. Team #1 played at home first.

Semifinals

The Semifinals was played by the four winners from the Quarterfinals. As in the First Round, these teams played two-legged matches. Team #1 played at home first.

Finals

The Finals were played by the two winners from the Semifinals. As in the First Round, these teams played two-legged matches. Team #1 played at home first.

Champion