The teams had qualified for the competition by winning their continent's primary cup competition. Independiente qualified by winning the primary South American cup competition, the Copa Libertadores. They won the 1984 Copa Libertadores by defeating Brazilian team Grêmio 3–1 on points in the finals. Liverpool qualified by winning the primary European cup competition, the European Cup. They won the 1983–84 European Cup by beating Italian team A.S. Roma 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out after the match finished 1–1.