Flamengo wins Copa Libertadores, beating Palmeiras 1-0

Flamengo defeated Palmeiras 1-0 to win the Copa Libertadores on Saturday, becoming the most successful Brazilian team in the history of South America’s top club competition by winning the title for the fourth time.

A second-half goal from Flamengo centre-back Danilo ended a messy encounter at Lima’s Estadio Monumental – the fifth Libertadores final in the past six seasons involving two clubs from Brazil.

Flamengo’s victory avenged the 1-2 defeat to Palmeiras in the 2021 Libertadores final and puts the famous Rio de Janeiro club firmly on course for a hat-trick of trophies in 2025.

Flamengo started the year with a win in the Brazilian Super Cup and need just two points from their remaining two league matches to clinch Brazil’s national championship.

Flamengo’s third victory in the tournament since 2019 and fourth overall in the overall standings put it level with Argentina’s Estudiantes, three behind another Argentine club, Independiente, with seven titles.

Palmeiras squandered a golden chance to equalize in the 89th minute when Vitor Roque shot over the bar from close range.

That was perhaps Palmeiras’ best chance of an often tricky final, littered with 33 fouls and seven yellow cards shared between the two teams.

In a scrappy first half, Flamengo enjoyed the better chances, with Bruno Henrique the first to sound the alarm in the Palmeiras ranks with a 15th minute strike that flew high and wide.

Flamengo continued to find space down the flanks, and moments later Samuel Lino threatened to break the deadlock by cutting in from the left and firing a shot wide.

However, that was as good as it got for Flamengo in the first half, and the men in red and black were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men after 30 minutes following a fight that broke out when Palmeiras defender Bruno Fuchs brought down Flamengo star Giorgian de Arrascaeta.

As emotions flared, Flamengo’s Chilean international Erick Pulgar flew in and kicked out to Fuchs, but somehow only escaped with a yellow card.

Flamengo again looked the most threatening team after the break, struggling to create clear chances.

The breakthrough finally came after 67 minutes, when Arrascaeta whipped in an inviting corner from the right.

Danilo – inexplicably left unmarked – rose unchallenged to head home for what would be the winning goal.

Published on November 30, 2025