Copa Libertadores 2019 South America’s premier club competition kicks off with reigning champions River Plate from Argentina entering at the group stage. In a new format, Santiago will host the first single match final in the tournament’s history TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE FIRST STAGE: Jan 22-31. Two-leg play-off, winners advance to second stage 1 Delfin Nacional 2 Dep. Guaira Real Garcilaso 3 Bolivar Defensor Sporting SECOND STAGE: Feb 5-14. Two-leg play-off, winners advance to third stage 1 Danubio Atl. Mineiro 2 Melgar Uni. de Chile 3 The Strongest Libertad 4 Palestino Ind. Medellin 5 Talleres Sao Paulo 6 Winner 1 Atl. Nacional 7 Winner 2 Caracas 8 Winner 3 Barcelona THIRD STAGE: Feb 19-28. Two-leg play-off, four winners advance to group stage GROUP STAGE: Mar 5 – May 9. Top two in each group advance GROUP A River Plate Internacional Alianza Lima Winner 4 GROUP B Cruzeiro Emelec Huracan Deportivo Lara GROUP C Olimpia Sporting Cristal Godoy Cruz Uni. de Concepcion GROUP D Penarol Flamengo LDU Quito San Jose GROUP E Nacional Cerro Porteno Zamora Winner 1 GROUP F Palmeiras San Lorenzo Junior Winner 2 GROUP G Boca Juniors Ath. Paranaense Jorge Wilstermann Deportes Tolima GROUP H Gremio Uni. Catolica Rosario Central Winner 3 KNOCK-OUT STAGES R16: Jul 23 / 30 Q-FINAL: Aug 20 / 27 S-FINAL: Oct 1 / 22 FINAL: Nov 23 Source: Copa Libertadores Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS