October 22 – Brazilian club Palmeiras eliminated CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores rivals Fluminense 5–3 on penalties after suffering a 1–0 defeat in the second leg of their semi-final.
The Sao Paolo side had held a 2-1 lead before the home leg of the match, but an 82n.d Fluminense’s Hércules’ goal in the minute brought parity and the dreaded penalty shootout.
Palmeiras goalkeeper Miguel made the crucial contribution when he saved Nonato’s attempt to win the penalty shoot-out 5-3 and progress to the final of the competition for the second consecutive year.
It is the fourth Copa Libertadores final for Palmeiras’ Portuguese coach, Abel Ferreira. He said: “There is no magic formula. I’ve lost so many times before… I’m just going to put a protocol, and that’s it. We know we can win or lose. No coach in the world has a magic formula.”
“When it’s a penalty shootout, it’s essential that the players score their goals and that our goalkeeper makes a stop. It’s very difficult, no matter how much you train.”
They will face the current champions Flamengo or Estudiantes de La Plata in the final. The pair drew 0-0 in the first leg. Flamengo will be the favorite to reach the tie that will host the Argentine club in a sold-out Maracana.
Last year, the Rio club defeated Palmeiras in the final of the competition 1-0.
Brazilian clubs have won the Copa Libertadores in each of the last seven years, and a new all-Brazilian final would underline their dominance of South America’s premier club competition.
The legendary Estadi Centenario in Montevideo will host the final on November 28. In 2021, it was the scene of Palmeiras’ second Libertadores win under Ferreira, defeating Flamengo 2-1.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, a (email protected)