The 1981 Copa Libertadores de América finals was the final two-legged tie to determine the Copa Libertadores de América champion.

Flamengo won the series after winning a tie-breaking playoff 2-0 at Montevideo's Estadio Centenario.

[2] Both teams came into the finals as first-time finalists of the Copa Libertadores.

The team that accumulated the most points —two for a win, one for a draw, zero for a loss— after the two legs was to be crowned the champion.

If the two teams were tied on points after the second leg, a playoff at a neutral venue was to become the next tie-breaker.