Europa League, Copa Sudamericana champions to meet in new challenge match

This edition will be named “Antonio Puerta XII” in honour of the former Sevilla player who died in 2007, aged 22, after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Ivan Rakitic and Jesus Navas of Sevilla lift the UEFA Europa League trophy. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Europa League champion Sevilla and Copa Sudamericana winner Independiente del Valle will face each other in the “Club Challenge” tournament, a new intercontinental clash launched by UEFA and CONMEBOL on Friday.

As part of the cooperation agreement between the European and South American confederations, the pilot edition of the match between the Ecuadorean and Spanish teams will be played on July 19 at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium in Seville.

Edwin van der Sar in ICU after suffering cerebral haemorrhage

“The Club Challenge is a one-off fixture played over 90 minutes. There is no extra time, so if the tie is level at the end of regulation time, it goes straight to penalties,” CONMEBOL said in a statement. “The winners will receive a plaque and medals specially designed for the occasion,” it added.

This edition will be named “Antonio Puerta XII” in honour of the former Sevilla player who died in 2007, aged 22, after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The Finalissima, featuring the winners of the men’s and women’s European Championships against the Copa America holders, is also part of the cooperation agreement between the governing bodies.