Flamengo triumphed over Palmeiras 1-0 to claim the Copa Libertadores on Saturday, becoming the most successful Brazilian team in the history of South America’s premier club competition by securing their
fourth title.
A second-half header from Flamengo centre-back Danilo decided a scrappy match at the Estadio Monumental in Lima — the fifth Libertadores final in the last six seasons featuring two Brazilian clubs.
Flamengo’s victory avenged their 2-1 loss to Palmeiras in the 2021 Libertadores final and positions the renowned Rio de Janeiro club to potentially achieve a hat-trick of trophies by 2025.
Having started the year with a win in the Brazilian Super Cup, Flamengo now need just two points from their remaining two league games to clinch Brazil’s domestic championship.
This marks Flamengo’s third tournament win since 2019 and their fourth overall, putting them level with Argentina’s Estudiantes and three behind another Argentine club, Independiente, which has seven titles.
Meanwhile, Palmeiras lamented a missed golden opportunity to equalise in the 89th minute when Vitor Roque shot over the bar from close range.
This was arguably the best chance for Palmeiras in a final marked by 33 fouls and seven yellow cards shared between the teams.
How Palmeiras Vs Flamengo Went?
The scrappy first half saw Flamengo create better chances, with Bruno Henrique’s 15th-minute strike flying high and wide, setting off alarms in the Palmeiras defence.
Flamengo continued to exploit space on the flanks, with Samuel Lino flashing a shot wide moments later after cutting in from the left.
However, that was as good as it got for Flamengo in the first half. They were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men after 30 minutes following a melee sparked by Palmeiras defender Bruno Fuchs’ foul on Flamengo star Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
As tempers flared, Flamengo’s Chilean international Erick Pulgar kicked out at Fuchs, but somehow escaped with just a yellow card.
Flamengo appeared more threatening after halftime but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
The breakthrough finally came in the 67th minute when Arrascaeta swung in an inviting corner from the right.
Danilo, inexplicably left unmarked, rose unchallenged to head in the winning goal.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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