Independiente of Argentina and Santos of Brazil are names that are synonymous with the Copa Libertadores, South America's Champions League. With Pele in his prime, Santos won the third and fourth versions of the tournament in 1962 and '63. The following year, with Pele injured, they fell to Independiente in the semifinals. The Argentines went on to lift the trophy, successfully defended it the following year and have won on a record seven occasions.
Those good times, though, are in the past. Independiente's last win was in 1984, and before this year they had not made it out of the group phase during this century.