Palmeiras lead Fluminense 2-1 into Libertadores semifinal second leg
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The gist
Palmeiras beat Fluminense 2-1 at the Maracanã and host the second leg needing only a draw.
The winner takes the first spot in the Copa Libertadores final in Montevideo.
Background
Palmeiras and Fluminense are Brazilian clubs meeting in an all-Brazilian CONMEBOL Libertadores (South America's top club competition) semifinal, with Palmeiras coached by Abel Ferreira and Fluminense by Marcão. Palmeiras won the first leg 2-1 at Rio de Janeiro's Maracanã and became the first visiting team to beat Fluminense in a knockout-stage match in the competition. Palmeiras are chasing a second consecutive final after losing the 2025 showpiece to Flamengo, and the tie's winner takes the first finalist place.
How it unfolded
- Oct 14, 2026First leg at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro: Palmeiras beat Fluminense 2-1. José Manuel López scored in the 45th minute, Marlon Freitas made it 2-0 in the 85th, and Wesley Natã headed one back in stoppage time.
- Oct 17, 2026Palmeiras beat Athletico Paranaense 2-0 in Brasileirão Série A.
- Oct 18, 2026Fluminense lost 1-2 to Santos in Brasileirão Série A.
- Oct 21, 2026Second leg at Nubank Parque in São Paulo; beIN SPORTS lists 8:20 PM ET and Goal.com 8:30 PM ET, while FotMob and FOX Sports list it as Oct 22, 00:30 UTC.
- Nov 28, 2026The winner advances to the Copa Libertadores final at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- CONMEBOL states Palmeiras need only a draw at Nubank Parque to advance, while Fluminense must win by one goal to force a penalty shootout or by two to progress outright.
- Analysts
- Bolavip notes the away-goals rule does not apply, so a one-goal Fluminense win levels the aggregate and sends the tie to a penalty shootout.
- Caution
- beIN SPORTS frames Fluminense as heading into the second leg needing a goal after their 2-1 home defeat.