Central Córdoba Knocked Out of Copa Libertadores Despite Earning 11 Points

Central Córdoba has suffered a rare and painful exit from the 2025 Copa Libertadores group stage, finishing with 11 points yet failing to qualify for the round of 16. As Olé reported, the Argentine side lost 3-0 to Liga de Quito on the final matchday and was edged out by Flamengo on goal difference after the Brazilian side beat Deportivo Táchira.

Liga topped Group C with a +4 goal difference, followed by Flamengo with +3, leaving Central Córdoba in third with a goal differential of zero — despite all three teams earning 11 points. This marks only the second time in tournament history that a team has failed to advance with such a high total.

The only other instance dates back to 2007, when Chile’s Audax Italiano — featuring a young Franco Di Santo — finished third in their group despite also reaching 11 points. Necaxa topped that group with 12, while São Paulo moved on with a superior goal difference (+7 to Audax’s +2).

Unlike Audax in 2007, Central Córdoba will have a second chance: they drop into the Copa Sudamericana playoffs, where they will face the weakest second-placed team. It’s a small consolation after a heartbreaking and statistically rare elimination.