Copa Sudamericana

The Copa Sudamericana is CONMEBOL's second-tier continental club competition for South American clubs, sitting below the Copa Libertadores in prestige. Established in 2002 to replace the Supercopa Sudamericana, it provides continental competition for clubs that narrowly miss Libertadores qualification or are eliminated in that tournament's early rounds. Independiente (Argentina) and Athletico Paranaense (Brazil) are among the clubs who have claimed the Copa Sudamericana as their first major continental honour. The winner earns entry into the Recopa Sudamericana and a Copa Libertadores berth for the following season.