Nothing spices up a South American soccer game quite like knowing a few wild facts about the cities and teams. It adds that extra shine to the match when you drop knowledge bombs about the teams and their hometowns, whether you're impressing your buddies or just enjoying a good laugh. Sure, you might come off as the "soccer geek" in the group, but let’s be real -- geeks are awesome, and knowledge is power. Plus, knowledge helps society evolve. So, on that note, here are some mind-blowing facts about the cities and teams lighting up the Copa finals: 

COPA SUDAMERICANA FINAL

Racing Club (Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province):

• Racing Club was the first team in the world to achieve seven consecutive league championships, and the only team from Argentina and the American Continent to do so.
• Racing Club’s biggest rival is Independiente de Avellaneda and their stadiums are one block apart (300 meters). In fact, the city of Avellaneda is the National Capital of Football because it has 7 professional AFA clubs and 120 neighborhood clubs. It’s a city that breathes football.
• Racing Club fans are mostly middle-class men, and a large proportion are between 55 and 75 years old. They are characterized by their commitment to social issues and their passion for art.

Cruzeiro (Belo Horizonte, Brazil – “Beautiful Horizon”):

• Founded in 1921 by Italian immigrants, the club originally had an Italian name and wore white, green, and red colors. In 1942, due to WWII, the club was forced to change its name and colors under Brazilian government orders.
• Belo Horizonte is twinned (twin cities) with Fort Lauderdale, Austin and Newark in the US.
• Cruzeiro’s biggest in-city rival is Atlético Mineiro (Galo – Rooster) – they will play the Copa Libertadores final.

COPA LIBERTADORES FINAL

Atlético Mineiro (Belo Horizonte):

• Atlético Mineiro began as an upper-class team, but soon it changed, and was one of the first teams to include all social classes. In its early days, soccer in Brazil symbolized elitism, with imported balls and footwear priced far beyond the reach of average Brazilians.
• Belo Horizonte has a mysterious street called Rua do Amendoim or Peanut Street. The street if famous because of an Optical Illusion the makes the street look like it's going up when in fact it's going down.
• The Municipal Park was the field where the first soccer match was played in Belo Horizonte, in 1904. There is a mysterious chest buried there, the ''Centenary Chest,'' which will only be opened when the city turns 200 years old (2097). 
  Botafogo (Rio de Janeiro):
• Botafogo is a middle to upper class neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• Superstition is deeply intertwined with soccer culture in Brazil. Botafogo stands out as the most superstitious club in the world, with bizarre rituals like smearing sugar on stadium walls to ensure victory.
• Botafogo (“set fire”) was named after João Pereira de Sousa Botafogo (1540–1627), who was responsible for the galleon Botafogo's artillery. The Portuguese Crown granted him the land. 

So next time you're chatting with your friends during the game, tell them to put on beIN Sports and hit them with these cool facts. Two great finals on beIN Sports and beIN Sports en Español. Check your local listings for times and channels.