The third stage of the Copa Libertadores will begin this Tuesday, marking the last step before the group stage of the most important tournament on the South American continent. The first match will feature Deportes Iquique from Chile, which will face Alianza Lima from Peru, the team that surprised by eliminating Boca Juniors at La Bombonera.
Deportes Iquique advanced to this stage by defeating Independiente Santa Fe from Colombia on penalties. Meanwhile, Alianza Lima eliminated Nacional from Paraguay in the first stage and subsequently Boca Juniors. Action will continue on Wednesday with matches between Melgar from Peru and Cerro Porteño from Paraguay, followed by the game between Barcelona from Ecuador and Corinthians from Brazil, a team full of stars and a contender to advance to the group stage.
On Thursday, Boston River from Uruguay will host Bahia from Brazil at their stadium. The winners of each series, which will be decided in home-and-away matches, will secure a spot in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
The draw for the group stage will take place on Monday, March 17, at the Conmebol headquarters located in the city of Luque, Paraguay. The Argentine representatives in this edition will be River Plate, Racing Club, Vélez Sarsfield, Estudiantes de La Plata, Central Córdoba from Santiago del Estero, and Talleres from Córdoba.
