Palmeiras tops Fluminense on penalties to reach second straight Copa Libertadores final

Palmeiras is back in the Copa Libertadores final for the second year in a row. The São Paulo side fell 0-1 to Fluminense at Allianz Parque after an 82nd-minute strike from Hércules, a result that evened the tie following the 1-2 first-leg win at the Maracanã. But when the contest moved to a penalty shootout, Abel Ferreira's team held its nerve to prevail 5-3 and book a spot in the decisive match scheduled for November 28 in Montevideo.

• Palmeiras lost 0-1 at home to Fluminense but advanced 5-3 on penalties after winning the first leg 2-1.
• Hércules scored the equalizer on aggregate in the 82nd minute with a low drive inside the post.
• Carlos Miguel saved Nonato's attempt and Marlon Freitas converted the winning penalty.
• Abel Ferreira will contest his fourth continental final with Palmeiras since 2020.
• The opponent in the final will be either Flamengo or Estudiantes de La Plata.

A sluggish semifinal that exploded with Hércules' late equalizer

The second leg in São Paulo was an exercise in patience, with both sides more focused on avoiding mistakes than creating chances. The first half drifted by with little rhythm, and Palmeiras ended the game with only one shot on target. Fluminense, pushed by the defeat suffered in Rio de Janeiro, tried to make something happen early: Guilherme Arana forced Carlos Miguel into a save inside the first minute, and the goalkeeper later denied an effort from Savarino.

But the match lacked a clear owner. Tactical adjustments failed to change the story, and the entire stadium seemed to be waiting for a single mistake. A light rain falling over the pitch only heightened the sense of a frozen contest. With half an hour left, Fluminense began to increase the tempo, aware that the aggregate scoreline was pushing them toward elimination. Abel Ferreira responded with a surprising move: he withdrew Flaco López, the team's top scorer this campaign, and introduced Ramón Sosa.

We don't talk about tactics anymore, now it's heart, heart; these guys don't want to play, they're scared.

The words of Fluminense coach Marco Aurélio de Oliveira 'Marcão', picked up by pitchside microphones, seemed to snap his team into action. With eight minutes remaining, Natã linked up with Hulk, who laid the ball off for Hércules on the edge of the box. The midfielder struck a sharp, placed shot past Carlos Miguel to send the visiting bench into celebration and push the tie to penalties.

Carlos Miguel and Marlon Freitas become Palmeiras' shootout heroes

From the spot, Palmeiras did not miss. Maurício, Gómez, Sosa and Piquerez all converted with confidence, while Fluminense kept pace through Thiago Silva, Hércules and Arana. The defining moment came between the posts: Carlos Miguel guessed right on Nonato's attempt and palmed it away, leaving the door open for Marlon Freitas. The midfielder stepped up and beat veteran goalkeeper Fábio to make it 5-3 and trigger the home celebrations.

The Palmeiras goalkeeper redeemed himself in the most delicate moment, having already kept his team alive during several stretches of the match. The shootout rewarded the emotional strength of a squad accustomed to these scenarios and punished a Fluminense side that competed evenly throughout the tie but left with nothing.

Abel Ferreira, the coach collecting finals in an impatient football nation

The Portuguese manager will take charge of his fourth Copa Libertadores final since arriving at the club in November 2020. He won the 2020 and 2021 editions and lost the most recent one, played in 2025, specifically against Flamengo. Now he has the chance to get even in Montevideo, in a clash that would renew that Brazilian classic if the Mengão resolves its series against Estudiantes de La Plata.

The achievement stands out in a football culture known for firing coaches with dizzying speed. Ferreira has turned Palmeiras into a near-permanent presence in the decisive rounds of the continental tournament, and his management of the squad once again proved crucial to surviving a tie that became far more complicated than expected.

What Palmeiras is playing for in the Montevideo final

The São Paulo club is chasing its fourth Copa Libertadores title, a trophy that would cement its status as one of the continent's recent powerhouses. After a trophy-less 2025, the team led by Abel Ferreira still has a shot at a historic treble this season, as it remains alive in the Brazilian league and the Copa do Brasil.

The level shown in the semifinal, however, leaves room for reflection. Palmeiras reached the final playing in a low gear, with limited attacking output and a highly conservative approach. Even so, its reliability in penalty shootouts and the quality of its key players allow it to dream of another continental crown.

Fluminense, champions in 2023, leave with their heads held high after competing in both matches. The tricolor side had to cope with injuries and tactical reshuffles, but ultimately ran into a rival that once again imposed its composure from the spot. The scene at Allianz Parque closed a bitter night for the visitors, who were eight minutes away from knocking out the two-time finalist of the Ferreira era.

How the penalty shootout unfolded between Palmeiras and Fluminense

• Maurício converted to make it 1-0 for Palmeiras; Thiago Silva equalized for Fluminense.
• Gómez put Palmeiras ahead 2-1; Hércules answered to level at 2-2.
• Sosa scored for 3-2; Arana replied to make it 3-3.
• Piquerez fired home for 4-3 and Carlos Miguel denied Nonato's spot kick.
• Marlon Freitas sealed the 5-3 win with a shot past Fábio to clinch the berth.

Frequently asked questions about the Copa Libertadores semifinal