Palmeiras beat Fluminense on penalties to reach Copa Libertadores final
Carlos Miguel saved Nonato’s penalty before Marlon Freitas scored the decisive kick. Palmeiras will face Flamengo or Estudiantes in Montevideo on 28 November.
Palmeiras reached the 2026 Copa Libertadores final in Brazil on Wednesday, 21 October, beating Fluminense 5-3 on penalties after a 1-0 second-leg defeat left their semifinal tied 2-2 on aggregate. Goalkeeper Carlos Miguel saved Nonato’s attempt before Marlon Freitas scored the kick that sent the São Paulo club through to a final in Montevideo.
Palmeiras had taken a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Rio de Janeiro on 14 October, so Fluminense needed a goal to draw level across the tie. OneFootball reported that Carlos Miguel denied Guilherme Arana an early chance and that Fluminense controlled much of the first half without scoring.
How Fluminense forced the shootout
Fluminense finally equalised in the 82nd minute. According to OneFootball, substitute Wesley Natã exchanged passes with Ganso before setting up Hércules to score. That made the aggregate score 2-2 and sent the semifinal to penalties, where Fluminense had to find a way past the goalkeeper who had kept them out early in the match.
The shootout remained level until Fluminense’s fourth attempt. Carlos Miguel saved Nonato’s kick, leaving Marlon Freitas with the chance to settle the contest. Freitas converted, completing Palmeiras’ 5-3 shootout win. The Associated Press reported that Carlos Miguel had also saved two penalties against Liga de Quito in the quarterfinals.
Palmeiras’ opponent in the 28 November final
Palmeiras will play either Flamengo or Estudiantes de La Plata at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay, on 28 November. Their semifinal was still undecided when these reports were published: the first leg had ended 0-0, and the second was scheduled for Thursday, 22 October. AP identified Flamengo as the defending champion.
The appearance will be Palmeiras’ second consecutive Libertadores final, according to AP. OneFootball described it as the club’s eighth final, a record among Brazilian teams. The Rio Times listed Palmeiras’ three previous titles, won in 1999, 2020 and 2021. Fluminense last won the competition in 2023.
AP said Brazilian clubs had won the previous seven editions of the tournament. Flamengo’s remaining semifinal means another Brazilian finalist is possible, although Estudiantes can still take that place. For Palmeiras, the immediate result is a confirmed place in the continental final while it waits for the other semifinal to finish.
Both semifinalists also return to domestic league play on Saturday, 24 October, OneFootball reported. Palmeiras, second in the Brasileirão at the time of its report, are due to host Red Bull Bragantino at Arena Barueri. Fifth-placed Fluminense are due to visit Chapecoense at Arena Condá after their exit from the Libertadores.
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Sources and context
- Palmeiras Reach Libertadores FinalThe Rio Times
- 🎥 Palmeiras lose in normal time, but win on penalties to reach the finalOneFootball (English article translated from its Portuguese original; hosted by Yahoo Sports)
- Carlos Miguel shines in shootout as Palmeiras reaches the Copa Libertadores finalAssociated Press (hosted by Yahoo Sports)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.