Flamengo has lifted their fourth Copa Libertadores title after edging Palmeiras 1-0 in a cagey final at the Monumental U in Lima, becoming the first Brazilian side to hit that milestone.
Fla started the night on the front foot, knocking the ball about with confidence but wasting a couple of early half chances that really should’ve tested Weverton. The tension ramped up quickly too, with the referee booking three Flamengo players before the break, while Palmeiras only saw one yellow despite a fiery challenge from Pulgar on Bruno Fuchs that had Verdão players screaming for a red. VAR, though, kept quiet.
Palmeiras tried to step up their tempo in the second half, but a sloppy pass out from the back by Murilo nearly cost them dear. Arrascaeta pounced and smashed a shot goalwards, only for Gustavo Gómez to get in the way with a big block. Filipe Luís looked absolutely fed up on the touchline, even motioning for Everton Cebolinha to get ready, but before he could change anything, the breakthrough arrived.
A corner swung in by Arrascaeta found Danilo, completely unmarked, and he nodded home like he was back training at Ninho do Urubu. Proper bullet header. The former Santos man who once lifted the Libertadores alongside Neymar back in 2011 then turned hero again late on, clearing Vitor Roque’s shot off the line to keep Flamengo in front.
Abel Ferreira threw on half his bench in response Facundo Torres, Felipe Anderson, Giay, Sosa and Mauricio but it never really changed the rhythm of things. Palmeiras ended up lumping long balls into the box, hoping for chaos, but Flamengo held firm and saw the night out.
The victory lands Flamengo more than 150 million reais in prize money and a spot in the Intercontinental Cup. It also cements their place as Brazil’s most successful club in the competition, now sitting clear on four titles.
For Brazilian football as a whole, it’s another historic night too this was the country’s 25th Libertadores triumph, pulling them level with Argentina at the top of the all time winners list. Flamengo, meanwhile, march on as kings of the continent once again.