Palmeiras defeats Fluminense on penalties in Copa Libertadores

Palmeiras secured a dramatic path to the 2026 Copa Libertadores final by defeating Fluminense 5-3 on penalties at the Nubank Parque in São Paulo, overcoming a late 1-0 deficit in regulation time to level the aggregate score at 2-2, as reported by Caracol Radio.

Late goals force a tense penalty shootout

For long stretches of the second leg, Fluminense looked poised to overturn the 2-1 deficit from the Maracanã. The visitors broke the deadlock in the 81st minute when Wesley carved through the defense and provided an assist for Hércules, who finished cleanly to make it 1-0 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate, according to ESPN Colombia. That late strike sent the semifinal straight to a penalty shootout without extra time.

Nerve-wracking spot-kicks decide the semifinal

Palmeiras won the pre-match coin toss, and captain Gustavo Gómez elected for the home side to shoot first, as detailed in match accounts from ESPN Colombia. Mauricio opened the scoring for Verdao by striking down the middle, before Thiago Silva replied with a quality, opened-foot finish for Fluminense to make it 1-1.

Gómez converted the second penalty for Palmeiras, again firing straight down the middle. Hércules then responded for Fluminense by driving a high, angled shot into the corner for a spectacular goal to tie the shootout at 2-2. Ramón Sosa restored Palmeiras’ lead at 3-2, but Guilherme Arana answered immediately with a precise strike to level it at 3-3.

Uruguayan defender Joaquín Piquerez placed his shot firmly down the center to put Palmeiras ahead 4-3. The decisive turning point arrived when Nonato stepped up for Fluminense’s fourth attempt; after consulting a tactical note kept inside his goal, Palmeiras goalkeeper Carlos Miguel guessed correctly and blocked the shot to the left post, as reported by Infobae.

Marlon Freitas seals the decisive spot-kick

With a chance to eliminate the visitors and book a trip to the title match, Marlon Freitas crossed his penalty past veteran goalkeeper Fábio to seal a 5-3 shootout victory. The win propels Palmeiras into the continental showcase for the second year, despite a nervy home performance.

Fluminense's lineup changes impact Palmeiras's strategy

Fluminense deployed Colombian internationals Kevin Serna and Julián Millán in their starting XI, though Millán suffered an injury during the first half that forced an early tactical adjustment, according to Infobae. Midfielder Jhon Arias logged 82 minutes for Palmeiras, earning a 7.2 match rating after recording three goals and two assists during the tournament run, as noted by Caracol Radio.

The result extends manager Abel Ferreira’s remarkable record with the São Paulo club. Since taking charge in November 2020, the Portuguese coach has guided Palmeiras to four Copa Libertadores finals, winning the crown in 2020 and 2021 while finishing as runner-up in 2025, according to historical records cited by Caracol Radio.

Road to the Montevideo final

Palmeiras will travel to Montevideo, Uruguay, to contest the single-match final on November 28. There, the club will seek its fourth Libertadores trophy against the winner of the other semifinal series between Flamengo and Estudiantes de La Plata, keeping alive hopes of a historic domestic and international treble.

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