Flamengo is the new Copa Libertadores champion, succeeding last year’s winner Botafogo FR. In a final that was largely disjointed and marred by numerous fouls, a powerful header was ultimately enough to seal the victory.
The final of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s most important club competition and comparable to the European Champions League, took place this Saturday against a picturesque backdrop. The two traditional Brazilian clubs Palmeiras from Sao Paulo and Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro faced each other at the Estadio Monumental in Peru’s capital Lima, in front of the idyllic San Cristobal hill.
From a neutral perspective, the final itself was rather predictable.
Both teams spent a long time feeling each other out and were notable for their increasingly rough play. The numerous fouls repeatedly disrupted Flamengo’s flow – after all, the team from Rio de Janeiro, with seasoned players such as Danilo, Alex Sandro (both formerly of Juventus) and Jorginho (European champion with Italy and formerly of Arsenal, Chelsea and Napoli), was more confident on the ball. They also built up pressure from time to time, but without really shaking Palmeiras’ defense.
Pulgar kicks out – and doesn’t get sent off
Only Samuel Lino had a dangerous shot that went wide of the right post (16th minute) after a good move, while his teammate Pulgar should have been shown a red card in the 30th minute. After the whistle, he raced towards Palmeiras pro Fuchs and kicked him viciously in the shin. However, the VAR did not even call the referee into the review area, so the yellow card remained. This was a big mistake by the team, as it had nothing to do with fair play.
Former Wolfsburg player Bruno Henrique (14 Bundesliga games) found himself one-on-one with Sao Paulo goalkeeper Carlos Miguel shortly before half-time after a great through ball from Carrascal. However, despite rounding the keeper, the striker failed to find the net (43′). So it remained 0-0 after the first half, also because nothing came off for the other side through striker Vitor Roque (FC Barcelona, Real Betis, among others).
Danilo is in the air and celebrates
The second half finally impressed with some pure soccer. Both teams combined more frequently, more confidently, and with more determination. There were still quite a few fouls, but for the most part, the game itself took center stage, with chances for Palmeiras (50′) and Flamengo through Samuel Lino (54′) and after goalkeeper Carlos Miguel missed the ball (57′). A header from Carrascal after a cross from Alex Sandro also went wide to the right (62′). It was fitting that the score was still 0-0 at this point in terms of shots on goal.
Extra time and a penalty shootout were therefore very much on the cards. However, it didn’t come to that because Flamengo’s defensive leader Danilo was left unmarked after a corner and scored the celebrated 1-0 goal with a perfect shot off the left post (67′). The ensuing celebrations knew no bounds. The score could have been 1-1 almost immediately, but mistakes by goalkeeper Rossi and Danilo (70′) were not capitalized on, nor was a dangerous shot by defender Murilo (71′).
And yet, it should have ended 1-1 and gone into extra time, but Palmeiras striker Vitor Roque failed to hit the target from close range and a central position. His shot was slightly deflected and went over the bar (89′), while at the other end, the score could have been 2-0 (90’+2). Even so, Flamengo held on to their narrow lead and won the Copa Libertadores for the fourth time after 1981, 2019, and 2022—all of which was celebrated in style. Meanwhile, the men from Sao Paulo were left with their heads hanging low and tears in their eyes.