The Copa do Brasil, also known as the Brazil Cup, is a thrilling football competition that pits 86 teams against each other in a knockout format. This exciting tournament features clubs from all 26 Brazilian states, including the Federal District, giving teams from smaller states a chance to showcase their skills against the giants of Brazilian football. Over the years, the Copa do Brasil has seen several “giant-killing” moments, where underdog teams have pulled off stunning victories against more established opponents. Currently sponsored by Continental AG, the competition is officially named the Copa Continental Pneus do Brasil, reflecting the company’s support.
The Copa do Brasil is essentially Brazil’s domestic cup competition, equivalent to the FA Cup in England, the Taça de Portugal in Portugal, the Copa del Rey in Spain, the Coupe de France in France, the Coppa Italia in Italy, the DFB-Pokal in Germany, and the Copa Argentina in Argentina. It’s a prestigious tournament that provides a platform for clubs of all sizes to compete for glory and a chance to represent Brazil in international competitions.
A Changing Schedule and Format
The Copa do Brasil has seen some changes to its schedule and format over the years. From 2001 to 2012, the competition was held in the first half of the year. Due to the packed calendar in Brazil’s first half, teams competing in the Copa Libertadores de América (South America’s premier club competition) were not allowed to participate in the Copa do Brasil during the same year. This rule was in place to avoid fixture clashes and ensure fair competition in both tournaments.
In 2013, the Copa do Brasil shifted to a new schedule, running from March to November. This change opened the door for teams participating in the Copa Libertadores de América to also compete in the Copa do Brasil. These teams enter the competition directly in the Round of 16, while the top 8 teams from the previous year’s Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (Brazil’s top division) who were eliminated in the first three rounds of the Copa Sudamericana (South America’s second-tier club competition) also have a chance to participate.
Knockout Format and Away Goals Rule
The Copa do Brasil is a single-elimination knockout tournament. Teams face off in two-legged ties, with the aggregate score deciding the winner. In the first two rounds, if the away team wins the first match by a margin of two or more goals, they automatically advance to the next round, eliminating the need for the second leg.
The Copa do Brasil is unique in its use of the away goals rule, a rule that is not widely applied in other South American competitions. This rule gives an advantage to teams that score away from home, as it serves as a tiebreaker in cases where the aggregate score is tied. This rule was not implemented in the Copa Libertadores until 2005. However, there are exceptions to this rule in the Copa do Brasil: the away goals rule is not applied if both teams are from the same city, as was the case in the 2006 semi-final (Fluminense and Vasco), the 2006 final (Flamengo and Vasco), and the 2014 final (Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro).
The Winner’s Prize: A Place in the Copa Libertadores
The winner of the Copa do Brasil earns the right to compete in the following year’s Copa Libertadores de América. This is a significant prize, as the Copa Libertadores is one of the most prestigious club competitions in the world, offering a chance for the winning team to compete against the best clubs from South America and potentially qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.
