Palmeiras beat Fluminense 2-1 in Libertadores semifinal first leg
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Palmeiras won 2-1 away at Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores semifinal first leg at the Maracanã.
The all-Brazilian last four also has Flamengo level 0-0 with Argentina's Estudiantes.
Background
The Copa Libertadores is South America's top club football competition, and this year's final four is down to three Brazilian clubs and one Argentine side. Palmeiras, finalists last year when they lost to Flamengo in Lima, are chasing a first title since 2021 and are in the semifinals for the sixth time in seven years. Fluminense, the 2023 tournament winner, are in the final four for the third time after 2008 and three years ago. Brazilian clubs have won the title in each of the past seven years, a run Estudiantes are trying to end.
How it unfolded
- Oct 14, 2026Palmeiras beat Fluminense 2-1 away at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro in the first leg of their semifinal, with José López scoring in the 45th minute and Marlon Freitas in the 85th; Wesley scored for Fluminense in the 94th.
- Oct 15, 2026Flamengo drew 0-0 away at Estudiantes de La Plata in La Plata, Argentina, in the first leg of their semifinal.
- Oct 19, 2026A CONMEBOL preview says Palmeiras host Fluminense at the Nubank Parque, while Flamengo and Estudiantes settle their tie on Thursday at the Maracanã.
- Oct 22, 2026The deciding second leg of Flamengo-Estudiantes is scheduled at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
- Oct 28, 2026The second leg of Palmeiras-Fluminense is to be played "next Wednesday" in Sao Paulo.
- Nov 28, 2026The Copa Libertadores final is scheduled at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- CONMEBOL says Palmeiras' 2-1 win means a draw at the Nubank Parque will be enough to reach the final, but Fluminense's stoppage-time goal means they cannot afford to be complacent.
- Analysts
- CONMEBOL notes Palmeiras have won or drawn 21 of their 23 Libertadores knockout matches at the Nubank Parque and have progressed from 12 of the 13 ties in which they won the first leg away from home.
- Caution
- FotMob notes Fluminense had never lost a home knockout match in the Copa Libertadores before this game, with 15 wins and five draws in 20 attempts.
Still unverified
Palmeiras' last title is given as "since 2021" in one AP report and "since 2020" in another.