Flamengo secured their fourth Copa Libertadores title by defeating Palmeiras 1-0. Danilo’s decisive header in the 67th minute at Estadio Monumental U Marathon in Lima sealed the victory.
The match was tightly contested, with Flamengo gaining control after halftime. Giorgian de Arrascaeta’s precise corner set up Danilo’s winning goal, allowing Flamengo to edge past their Serie A rivals.
The first half was marked by a tense moment between Bruno Fuchs and Erik Pulgar, with Pulgar narrowly avoiding a red card for a stamp on Fuchs. Despite this, Flamengo managed to assert themselves more in the second half. Vitor Roque, who had scored four goals in the tournament, missed a crucial opportunity in the 89th minute when his shot was blocked.
Flamengo substitute Everton nearly extended the lead with a free-kick that Carlos Miguel tipped onto the woodwork. However, Palmeiras couldn’t capitalise on their goalkeeper’s efforts, allowing Filipe Luis’ team to hold on for a memorable win.
In terms of statistics, Flamengo attempted 11 shots compared to Palmeiras’ nine. However, none of Palmeiras’ attempts were on target. Despite having a slightly higher expected goals (xG) figure of 1.0 compared to Flamengo’s 0.82, they couldn’t convert their chances into goals.
This victory avenged Flamengo’s loss to Palmeiras in the 2021 Copa Libertadores final. It also made them the first Brazilian club to win the tournament four times. Brazil now shares the record with Argentina for most titles in this competition, each boasting 25 wins.
Flamengo’s triumph over Palmeiras also reflects their current dominance in Brazil’s top flight, where they lead by five points. This close match highlighted their deserved status as champions despite Palmeiras’ efforts.