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Copa Libertadores knockout field set

NeymarSantos (Reuters Pictures)

The Copa Libertadores field has been cut to 16.

Defending champion Santos took care of business on Thursday against Bolivian side The Strongest with a 2-0 victory that included Neymar's fifth goal of the tournament. As a result, Santos finished as the third-seeded team among those that qualified for the knockout round, behind Brazilian sides Fluminense and Corinthians.

Santos did not have to face a single team from Brazil in its run to the 2011 Copa Libertadores title, but Neymar & Co. could face Corinthians and Flu in the semifinals and finals, respectively, should the seeds hold. 

Half of the remaining field is comprised of teams from Brazil and Argentina. Mexico's Cruz Azul was the only non-South American club to make it to the knockout phase, and it will face Paraguayan side Libertad in the Round of 16.

Here are all of the Copa Libertadores knockout pairings:

COPA LIBERTADORES KNOCKOUT ROUND (Set to begin April 30)

Fluminense (Brazil) vs. Internacional (Brazil)

Union Espanola (Chile) vs. Boca Juniors (Argentina)

Universidad de Chile (Chile) vs. Deportivo Quito (Ecuador)

Libertad (Paraguay) vs. Cruz Azul (Mexico)

Corinthians (Brazil) vs. Emelec (Ecuador)

Lanus (Argentina) vs. Vasco de Gama (Brazil)

Santos (Brazil) vs. Bolivar (Bolivia)

Velez Sarsfield (Argentina) vs. Atletico Nacional (Colombia)

5 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Neymar, Santos

Javier Orozco, Cruz Azul

Dorlan Pabon, Atletico Nacional

Leandro Damiao, Internacional

Junior Fernandes, Universidad de Chile

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Who do you think will win the tournament? Which team do you think can surprise and make a deep run? Do you see anyone knocking off Santos?

Share your thoughts below.

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