Flamengo and Palmeiras face off in Copa Libertadores final

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Flamengo and Palmeiras go head-to-head in Saturday’s Copa Libertadores final at Lima’s Estadio Monumental, with one Brazilian team set to claim South America’s premier club trophy for the seventh year in a row.

The showdown pits the top two sides from the Brasileirao against each other. Flamengo lead the league by five points over Palmeiras with just two rounds remaining, adding extra spice to the continental final.

Both teams are chasing history. Argentina’s Independiente has won the most titles with seven, while Boca Juniors follow with six. River Plate and Estudiantes have four each, and Uruguay’s Penarol has five. Now, the spotlight is on which Brazilian side will become the first to lift the Libertadores trophy four times.

Palmeiras famously beat Flamengo 2–1 in Montevideo in 2021, capitalising on a costly error by Andreas Pereira, who lost possession allowing Deyverson to score the winner in extra time. In a twist, Pereira now plays for Palmeiras. Flamengo, meanwhile, will be seeking revenge, and the venue could bring them luck — it hosted the 2019 final when Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, scored twice in stoppage time to secure a dramatic comeback over River Plate.

Palmeiras’ continental pedigree

Palmeiras arrive in Lima with the composure of a proven continental powerhouse. Under Abel Ferreira, they have reached three of the last six Libertadores finals.

“In the last five years, we were champions twice and runners-up twice in the Brazilian Championship. There’s ambition and an inner desire to win this competition,” Ferreira told Globo GE on Thursday.

Their journey to the final was dominant. Palmeiras won all six of their group-stage matches, then defeated Universitario and River Plate with ease. In the semi-finals, they produced a stunning comeback, overturning a 3–0 first-leg deficit against LDU Quito with a 4–0 victory at home.

Paraguay’s captain Gustavo Gomez anchors their defence, while Brazil’s Vitor Roque and Argentine forward Juan “Flaco” Lopez — who has scored seven goals in this campaign — lead the attack.

Flamengo’s determination

Flamengo, under rookie coach Filipe Luis, were less dominant initially but gained momentum as the tournament progressed. After finishing second in Group C, they beat Internacional 3–0 over two legs, edged past Estudiantes 4–2 in a shootout thanks to goalkeeper Augustin Rossi, and reached the final by defeating Racing 1–0 on aggregate.

“The more stressful things get, the more challenging my job becomes, and the more I enjoy it,” Luis said on Tuesday. “The difficult thing will be when I no longer experience these moments. It’s a privilege. We are beginning to relish this great moment — the Copa Libertadores final.”

Flamengo have combined flair with resilience, showing defensive solidity and experience. Uruguay’s playmaker Giorgian de Arrascaeta has reached his fourth final with the club since joining in 2019, while Brazilian forwards Jorginho and Everton and Ecuadorean winger Gonzalo Plata provide firepower upfront.

With domestic bragging rights and continental glory on the line, Saturday’s final promises to be a fitting climax to Brazilian football’s remarkable dominance in the Copa Libertadores.