Argentina vs. Brazil, legends vs. rising stars, Cavani vs. Marcelo, Boca Juniors vs. Fluminense: get ready for a massive match-up at the Maracana on beIN SPORTS.

Copa Libertadores 101 

On Saturday 4th November, the sparkling diamond in the jewel-encrusted crown of South American soccer will be shining brightly across the world with the 2023 Copa Libertadores Final. 

It's the end of a nine-month long campaign to find the best club in the continent. The action began in February at 10,000 feet in the Estadio Huancayo in Peru with the first qualifying match, and the competition will reach an incredible crescendo a short walk from the Atlantic Ocean in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium.

The last three finals have been all-Brazilian affairs, but the 64th edition has a little more spice and sees another chapter in the Argentina vs. Brazil soccer rivalry, as Boca Juniors face Fluminense. 

What's at stake?

Brazil's Fluminense will be looking to win the Copa Libertadores title for the first time in the club's history. The Rio team's one and only appearance in the final was in 2008, where Flu lost out to LDU Quito, the winners of this season's Copa Sudamericana. Fifteen years later, Fluminense have been handed a huge advantage with the final taking place not only in their home city, but in their home stadium too, the Maracana. 

However, Rio is expected to be receiving up to 110,000 Boca Juniors fans who will either be at the stadium or in the fan-zone on Copacabana beach. While Fluminense are relative novices to the Copa Libertadores final, Boca are six-times winners and looking to equal Independiente's long-standing record of seven victories. Boca have had a long wait since victory number six back in 2007, and will want to erase the memories of the infamous defeat to River Plate in 2018, in a double-headed tie which concluded in Madrid due to fan violence in Buenos Aires. 

Who are the favorites?

Fluminense are going into the final as favorites, and not just because of home advantage. An early marker of the team's potential was set in Match Day 3 of the group stages with a 5-1 demolition of River Plate. Fluminense are flamboyant and free-scoring with 22 goals across the competition, including 12 in the knockout stages. Boca Juniors have had a troubled path to the final, reflecting a troubled domestic season which sees the team with just 11 points after 11 games. 

Boca have relied on penalty shoot-outs in every round of the knockout stages to get through, having scored just 12 goals throughout the tournament, with a third of those coming in just one game. However, the defense has let in just five. 

Any famous faces?

Fluminense have Marcelo enjoying a stunning finale to an incredible career with the Brazilian back at his first ever club and looking to add a Copa Libertadores victory to his five UEFA Champions League titles. 

Fluminense striker, German Cano, might become a lot more famous after Saturday with the 35-year-old Argentinean looking to add to his 12 Copa Libertadores goals already scored this season. Flu are being lead by interim Brazil coach, Fernando Diniz, who is having a lot more success with his club than his country at the moment.

Boca Juniors have another famous face from European soccer leading the line in Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan joined up in July and although Cavani has not been prolific as hoped, his fox-in-the-box instincts could be a clincher for Boca in a tight affair.

Another clutch player in a close encounter is another Manchester United veteran. Sergio Romero has been key in the club's perilous penalty shoot-out path with some match-winning saves. Boca Juniors will certainly fancy their chances if they can hold out for 90 minutes and extra time against the forward power of Fluminense in a massive match-up in the Maracana. 

Where can I watch?

Catch the 2023 Copa Libertadores Final exclusively on beIN SPORTS on Saturday 4th November at 3:30PM ET / 12:30PM PT or tune in from 2PM ET for a special preview to the match-up in the Maracana.