Fourth success for the Rio Rossoneri, who won the derby in the final against their compatriots thanks to a header in the second half by the former Juventus player
The Copa Libertadores belongs to Flamengo! The Rio club becomes the first Brazilian team to win the South American Champions League for the fourth time by beating their compatriots Palmeiras in the final: former Juventus player Danilo, who scored the goal that decided the match, was decisive in the 1-0 at the Monumental Stadium in Lima. Fla’s other victories date back to 1981, 2019 and 2022: in the last two, Filipe Luís, now the club’s coach, was also on the pitch. Brazil has literally dominated the scene in recent years: from 2019 to today, the green and gold clubs have won seven editions in a row. Now it is a draw in the historic rivalry with Argentina, with 25 wins each for each country.
FORMER ITALIANS
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Despite belonging to different cities (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo) and states in Brazil, the two teams have seen their rivalry increase in recent years due to the many titles they have won. Many former Italians on the field. In Palmeiras, the Paraguayan Gustavo Gómez, ex Milan, captain and defense playmaker and the midfielder Andreas Pereira, ex Lazio. In Flamengo, in addition to the former Juventus players Danilo and Alex Sandro, also the former Italian player Jorginho and the Chilean Pulgar, with a past between Bologna and Fiorentina.
ROUGH RACE
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The first half was immediately tense: the match was more rough than technical. Flamengo made a strong start, but then Palmeiras managed to take the right countermeasures and balance the match. Gustavo Gómez is decisive in the second half: the former Rossoneri saves everything on the shot of the Uruguayan Arrascaeta, Flamengo’s star, after a huge mistake by Murilo.
DANILO DECISIVE
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Flamengo, who are playing for the Brazilian championship with Palmeiras, took the lead in the 21st minute of the second half thanks to Danilo’s header from a corner: the ball hit the post before going home. It is the goal that decides the Copa Libertadores, the former Juventus player’s second after the one he won in 2011 with Santos. His palmares also includes the two Champions League wins with Real Madrid. Palmeiras tries to react. Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira brings in Felipe Anderson in place of Raphael Veiga at midfield. In the 43rd minute the Argentinian Flaco López wasted a good opportunity for Palmeiras: in the end, however, Flamengo won and almost doubled their lead in added time.
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