Two football giants, Argentina's Racing and Brazil's Cruzeiro, will face off this Saturday in Asunción for their first Copa Sudamericana title, a trophy that has eluded these historic rivals in continental tournaments. Both teams arrive at the final with stars like Colombian Juan Fernando Quintero and Brazilian prospect Kaio Jorge.

The match will take place at the General Pablo Rojas Stadium, "La Nueva Olla," and will determine the 2024 champion, with the winner taking home six million dollars, while the loser will settle for two million dollars.

Don't Miss the Copa Sudamericana Final LIVE on beIN SPORTS

The record in finals between these two teams is tied, with one win for each side. Racing claimed the first edition of the now-defunct Supercopa Sudamericana in 1988 against Cruzeiro, who got their revenge in 1992 by winning the cup.

Since then, the blue-and-white team has not reached a decisive stage of an international tournament. Overall statistics favor the Brazilians, who have won five of the 11 international matchups, while Racing has four victories, including two draws.

The dream of a fan turned coach

Racing arrives at the final without a trophy since 1988, the year they won the Supercopa and the Interamericana against Costa Rica’s Herediano.

The Academy will be led by coach Gustavo Costas, a lifelong Racing fan who played for the team. Wearing Racing's colors, Costas secured the club's last international title in 1988. This Saturday, he’ll attempt to repeat that feat from the bench.

Costas will rely on key players like Colombian Juan Fernando Quintero, experienced goalkeeper Gabriel Arias, and striker Adrián 'Maravilla' Martínez.

Racing advanced to the Sudamericana final by finishing first in their group and overcoming Chile’s Huachipato and Brazil’s Athletico Paranaense and Corinthians in the knockout stages.

If Racing wins the Sudamericana, they would add this title to their collection, which includes the Copa Aldao (1917 and 1918), Honor Cusenier (1913), Libertadores and Intercontinental (1967), and the Supercopa Sudamericana (1988), securing their place among the giants.

Cruzeiro’s resurgence

With a possession-based style and game dominance as the hallmark of coach Fernando Diniz’s approach, Cruzeiro is hunting its eighth international title, a reward for a team that has overcome both sporting and economic challenges.

Under Diniz’s leadership, the Belo Horizonte side will aim to follow the path set by their coach, who led Fluminense to victory in the 2023 Copa Libertadores.

Striker Kaio Jorge, 22, is one of Cruzeiro’s standout players, having scored four of the team’s five goals in the quarterfinals and semifinals. Kaio has left behind his difficult European experience.

Also important in the lineup are forward Gabriel Verón and Argentine defenders Lucas Villalba and Lucas Romero. Cruzeiro, which was sold this year by Ronaldo Luiz Nazário de Lima to a local businessman, is backed by one of Brazil’s largest fanbases.

The Black Beast boasts two Copa Libertadores titles (1976 and 1997), two Supercopa Sudamericana titles (1991 and 1992), one Recopa Sudamericana (1998), one Copa Oro Nicolás Leoz (1995), and one Copa Master de Supercopa (1994).