By Louis Smith in Lima.
A week on from the Copa Sudamericana final in Paraguay, it’s now time for South America’s showpiece event: the Copa Libertadores final, as Palmeiras and Flamengo go head-to-head in an all-Brazilian showdown in Peru’s capital, Lima.
Both sides are still battling for the Brasileirão title, but for them, it pauses this weekend for the final. Flamengo need just two more points to mathematically secure the league crown, while Palmeiras, after resting all of their key players in midweek, will be hoping this is the stage where they can lift silverware, having seemly put all their eggs in the Libertadores basket.
Flamengo and Palmeiras fans have been racing across South America to get to Lima for the final, and the city is absolutely heaving. Traffic has turned chaotic, and airport queues have stretched to over an hour just to get through passport control, all a sign of how massive this all-Brazilian showdown truly is.
The sides last met in the Copa Libertadores final back in 2021, where Palmeiras came out on top. Raphael Veiga struck early for Verdão, but Gabriel Barbosa equalised in the 72nd minute to send the match into extra time. Then came the decisive moment, a costly mistake from Andreas Pereira, who now plays for Palmeiras but was wearing Flamengo colours that night, gifted Deyverson the chance to score. He took full advantage, securing the title for Palmeiras and adding a third Libertadores trophy to their cabinet.
In the Brasileirão, Flamengo have had the better of the meetings this season, winning both games. First, they secured a 2-0 victory away from home, before edging a 3-2 thriller at the Maracanã.
Palmeiras
Palmeiras’ journey to the Copa Libertadores final began in perfect fashion, a 3-2 victory away to Sporting Cristal that set the tone in a group featuring Cerro Porteño, Bolívar and Sporting Cristal. Verdao were flawless, topping the group with 18 points from six wins out of six.
Into the Round of 16, they faced Universitario of Peru and absolutely blew them away. A 4-0 hammering on the road that all but sealed the tie. The second leg was a stress-free 0-0 with key names rested.
The quarter-finals saw a heavyweight clash with River Plate, but Palmeiras were ruthless once again: a 2-1 win in Buenos Aires followed by a 3-1 victory at home secured a dominant 5-2 aggregate success.
Then came a dramatic semi-final, and a historic one at that, LDU Quito stunned Palmeiras with a 3-0 battering in Ecuador, leaving everything to do in the return leg. And they delivered. Verdao went into full throttle mode, producing a sensational 4-0 performance to overturn the deficit and book their place in the Copa Libertadores final.
Some key performers for Palmeiras in this season’s Copa Libertadores include Vitor Roque, who has four goals and two assists in ten matches. The former Barcelona forward has really found his feet in São Paulo and stepped up in the big moments.
Raphael Veiga has also enjoyed a solid campaign, contributing three goals and an assist from eight matches, once again proving his importance to the club.
And then there’s their rock at the back: Gustavo Gómez. He’s featured in ten matches and even chipped in with two goals. His leadership and presence will be absolutely crucial if Palmeiras are to get over the line in Lima.
Goalkeeper Weverton is expected to miss the match, with Carlos Miguel set to step in. Weverton fractured his finger back in October and hasn’t fully recovered, meaning Miguel is the favourite to get the nod in Lima.
Despite Palmeiras losing twice to Flamengo this season, manager Abel Ferreira knows exactly what it takes to win the Copa Libertadores; he’s already lifted the trophy twice. He’ll be aiming for a third title, and you can guarantee he’ll have a master plan hidden up his sleeve for this one.
Since qualifying for the Copa Libertadores final, it’s been a disappointing run for Palmeiras. They followed their semi-final heroics with two 2-0 wins, but then went on to lose three of their last five matches — a spell that hasn’t seen them pick up a single victory. They’ll be desperate for the final to be their turning point and the moment they reset their form when it matters most.
Flamengo
Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores journey began with a trip to Venezuela to face Deportivo Táchira, where they secured a narrow 1–0 victory. Placed in a group alongside Central Córdoba and LDU Quito, it turned into a nervy campaign. All four teams finished level on 11 points, and Flamengo only squeezed through thanks to goal difference, just creeping into the knockout stages by the finest of margins.
In the Round of 16, Flamengo faced Internacional, where they looked far more assured, winning both legs and sealing a 3–0 aggregate victory.
Their quarter-final clash with Estudiantes was a completely different story, tense and chaotic. After winning 2–1 at home, a 1–0 defeat in La Plata forced penalties, where Flamengo held their nerve to win 4–2 and survive yet another scare.
Then came the semi-final against Racing. A 1–0 home win in the first leg gave them something to protect in Argentina, and a gritty 0–0 draw in Avellaneda was just enough to push them into the final.
One of Flamengo’s standout performers in this year’s Libertadores has been Julián Díaz–Gareta, contributing two goals across 745 minutes of action. At the back, goalkeeper Agustín Rossi has been an absolute rock, playing every single minute of the competition and coming up with huge moments when Flamengo needed him most.
New signing Samuel Lino is another player expected to have an impact. He has featured in five matches so far without finding the net — but Flamengo will be hoping he’s saved his first goal for the biggest stage of all, the Copa Libertadores final.
There is some concern over Pedro, who has been dealing with a thigh issue and remains doubtful. The striker has two goals in the competition and would be a massive miss if he’s not fit to start. He will likely be on the bench.
Bruno Henrique has been a prominent figure for Flamengo and will likely try to have his say in this outing.
Since qualifying for the Copa Libertadores final, Flamengo have enjoyed a far more impressive run of form in the league, one that is likely to see them crowned Brasileirão champions. They have won four of their last seven matches and now need just two more points to mathematically secure the title. In his first full season as manager, Filipe Luís will be determined to complete a dream double.
It’s genuinely difficult to predict what type of final we’re in for. Will it be a high-scoring thriller? Or will nerves tighten the occasion and produce something far more cautious? So much will depend on those opening exchanges. An early breakthrough could turn this into a goal-fest, with both sides packed with attacking talent ready to pounce. But if the deadlock drags on, we may be set for a tense chess match where a single moment decides it, much like the Copa Sudamericana final.
One thing that does bode well for a more open contest is the climate. Unlike the scorching heat in Asunción last week, the cooler temperatures in Lima should allow the players to push harder for longer, and hopefully provide a far better spectacle for the neutral.
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