Buenos Aires, November 26 (NA) – The discussion about the format of continental finals has resurfaced with renewed force, but this time, Conmebol itself has given a definitive answer. According to information obtained by the Argentine News Agency (NA), Alejandro Domínguez, president of the organization, confirmed that the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana finals will remain as single matches and practically ruled out the possibility of a two-legged final returning in the near future. Furthermore, he emphasized that these single events are safer and allow for more advanced logistical planning. This year, the Libertadores final will be held at the U Monumental Stadium in Peru, featuring Flamengo and Palmeiras, while the venue for the 2026 final has not yet been decided. Even with the hopes of some clubs to host the decisive match—including Boca Juniors with its proposal for La Bombonera—Domínguez's message made it clear that the format will not change: the future of these cups will continue to be decided by a single final match. "In the last 10 years of playing that way, on seven occasions, the team that played the second leg at home was the champion," the executive explained. For Conmebol, the single match provides "absolute equality of conditions" for both finalists. The top leadership of South American football also defended the sporting and organizational impact of this format. "It's all or nothing, without a second chance." The official conveyed his message through an official video on social media, where he justified the institutional stance. In his message, Domínguez acknowledged that the historical two-legged finals "marked an era," but stressed that analyses indicate that the old format offered a considerable sporting advantage. In his view, the current system is fairer and more attractive from a competitive standpoint: "It's 90 minutes; if it's not decided, there are 30 more and then penalties."
