27 July 1984 - Seventh Heaven For Independiente

On 27 July 1984, Independiente won their record seventh Copa Libertadores, beating Grêmio on points over two legs.

Independiente were already the competition's most successful team, winning it six times between 1964 and 1975, including four straight from 1972 to 1975. Grêmio had lifted the cup more recently, though, taking the honors in 1983. Both teams had won it everytime they appeared in the final, setting a pattern that the 1984 final would have to break.

Grêmio hosted the first leg on 24 July, but Independiente got the win with a goal from midfielder Jorge Burrachaga. At the time, the final was decided on points, with two for a win and one for a draw, which meant that Independiente would claim the trophy as long as they didn't lose the second leg three days later.

Which they didn't, holding Grêmio to a scoreless draw. The title was their seventh, which remains the most of any club.

20 June 2007 - Riquelme's Glorious Return

On 20 June 2007, a brace from Juan Román Riquelme secured a sixth Copa Libertadores for Boca Juniors.

It was their ninth appearance in the final, matching the record held at the time by Peñarol (though both had won it five times, two behind Independiente's seven titles). It was the fourth appearance for their opponents, Grêmio, who had lifted the trophy twice.

Riquelme, who had started his career with Boca Juniors in 1996, was back on loan after four years in Spain playing for Barcelona and Villarreal. He had won the Copa Libertadores in 2000 and 2001, with the latter being his last piece of silverware with the club. Upon his return, his impact in the league was minimal, with two goals in fifteen appearances, but he had had more of an impact in the tournament, scoring five goals in nine matches.

He added a sixth goal in the final's first leg, a 3-0 win at the Bombanera on 13 June. But he really shined in the second leg at Grêmio's Estádio Olímpico, scoring the day's only goals with strikes in the 68th and 81st minutes to seal the title. His performance led Boca to sign him on a permanent basis and he has remained with them ever since.

30 August 1995 - Grêmio Gets A Little Greedy

On 30 August 1995, Grêmio won their second Copa Libertadores, beating Atlético Nacional on points over two legs.

Both teams had won the tournament once before, with Grêmio taking the honors in 1983 and Atlético in 1989. Grêmio returned to the final in 1984, but were unable to defend their title, losing to Independiente.

They entered the competition in 1995 as Copa do Brasil holders and, after finishing second to Palmeiras in the group stage, advanced with wins over Olimpia, Palmeiras, and Emelec to reach the final. Atlético, meanwhile, entered as Colombian top flight champions and, after also finishing second in their group (to Millonarios) reached the final with victories over Peñarol, Millonarios, and River Plate (on penalties).

Grêmio won the first leg of the final 3-1 on 23 August in front of their own supporters at the Estádio Olímpico, thanks in part to an opening own-goal from Atlético's Víctor Marulanda in the 35th minute. They followed that with strikes from Mário Jardel (43') and Paulo Nunes (55') before Juan Pablo Ángel pulled one back for Atlético in the 72nd minute.

In the second leg, played one week later at Atlético's Estadio Atanasio Girardot, the hosts again opened the scoring with a 12th-minute goal from Víctor Aristizábal. They held the lead deep into the second half, but needed another goal to preserve their hopes of lifting the trophy--the rules at the time decided the winner on points, then by goal differential, so a 1-0 win would draw them level with Grêmio on points, but leave them down a goal on differential.

Then, as Atlético pushed for a second, they conceded an 85th-minute penalty kick that was converted by Dinho to seal the win for the Brazilians. It remains the last trip to the final for Atlético. Grêmio returned in 2007, but finished as runners-up to Boca Juniors.