Copa Libertadores Winners And Losers After Matchday Three

The race for ‘eternal glory’ and the Copa Libertadores trophy is well under way for 2024. Three out of six group phase matches have now been played by each team, and some shocks and surprises are beginning to emerge, so who have been the winners and losers in the Copa so far?

Bolívar, Bolivia - Winners

Bolívar from La Paz in Bolivia are one of just three teams with maximum points after three games. The Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz provides a frightening advantage for home teams, but Bolívar still had to defeat top opposition at home; Flamengo of Brazil and also Millonarios who were Champions last year in Colombia.

A 4-0 victory in Santiago, Chile against Palestino has really put them in the driving seat though. Francisco Da Costa has scored in each game for the Bolivian side who are hoping to match an incredible run to the semi-finals from 2014.

San Lorenzo, Argentina - Losers

San Lorenzo won this trophy in 2014, coincidentally it was the ‘cyclone’ that ended Bolívar’s incredible run to the semifinals that season too. They have returned to the Copa Libertadores this season for the first time since 2021 but it's fair to say they have been dealt a tough hand.

San Lorenzo are in the same group as Brazilian champions Palmeiras and Independiente del Valle of Ecuador; a team with incredible talent and plenty of recent continental pedigree. Despite being well respected champions of Uruguay in 2023; Liverpool were the team San Lorenzo would definitely need to overcome to fight for a knock-out place.

Despite a very respectable home draw with Palmeiras on matchday one, San Lorenzo have now lost in both Ecuador and Uruguay, damning results for sure. With one point from three games they will need a miraculous turnaround to continue in this tournament.

Atlético Mineiro, Brazil - Winners

Tipped as dark horses to take titles in both Brazil and the Copa Libertadores this year; Atlético Mineiro are off to a flying start, in a tough group containing the likes of Rosario Central from Argentina and Uruguay’s Peñarol.

Forward Paulinho has four tournament goals in three games from a modest xG and the team are averaging three goals per game. A win in their next game in Rosario would see them coasting through to the next round.

Grêmio, Brazil - Losers

Despite a late surge for the Brazilian title in 2023 Grêmio look a shade of last year's side up to now. Obviously losing a player as incredible as Luis Suárez is going to see a drop in quality, but new Grêmio signings were meant to plug this gap and the likes of Yeferson Soteldo and co haven’t quite got into their rhythm yet.

Grêmio salvaged a vital victory at Estudiantes in Argentina on matchday three, to just about stay alive in this tournament. However they started their group phase with two defeats; away to The Strongest in La Paz, Bolivia and crucially at home to Chilean side Huachipato. Sitting bottom of the table now, they travel to Chile next and three points are vital to turn this campaign around.

River Plate, Argentina - Winners

Despite inconistsent form domestically and a very damaging defeat to rivals Boca Juniors at the weekend, River Plate have been one of the only tournament favourites to take maximum points so far, with two of those victories coming away from home.

River Plate should stroll through to the next round from this advantageous position, and hope that they can bring in some reinforcements in the upcoming transfer window if they want to be serious about winning silverware this season.