In the second of the semi-finals, Penarol lost 2-1 away to Velez Sarsfield of Argentina, but went through on away goals after a 2-2 aggregate scoreline. Henry Mier put the visitors 1-0 up on the night, and it proved to be enough to send them through, despite Velez making a fight of it with goals from Fernando Tobio and Santiago Silva.
Santos ensured their place in the final with a 3-3 draw away to Cerro Porteno on Wednesday, winning 4-3 on aggregate. The first leg of the final will be played in Uruguay on June 15, with the second game a week later in Brazil. Prior to the semi-finals, Santos beat Once Caldas and America, while Penarol defeated Universidad Catolica and Internacional.
Both clubs have previously tasted success in the competition, but Penarol have done so on more occasions and more recently. They have lifted the trophy five times, with the last triumph in 1987. Santos on the other hand have only won it twice, and have not done so since 1963, although they did reach the final in 2003.
The fixture will see a repeat of the 1962 final. After two games, the score was 4-4, and with no away goals rule in place at the time, a play-off match was required. Santos won 3-0 on a neutral ground in Buenos Aires thanks to an own-goal and a brace from the great Pele, and lifted the trophy for the first time.
