Flamengo defeated Palmeiras 1–0 in Buenos Aires on Saturday, securing a record fourth Copa Libertadores title for a Brazilian club and settling a tense all Brazilian final with a decisive second half header.
Former Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus defender Danilo provided the breakthrough, rising highest to meet a Giorgian de Arrascaeta corner and guiding his header into the bottom corner in the 67th minute. It proved enough for Filipe Luis’ side, who managed the closing stages with composure despite late pressure.
Palmeiras should have forced extra time when Victor Roque found space inside the box with two minutes of normal time remaining, but the forward lifted his effort over the bar from close range. Everton then had a chance to seal the evening for Flamengo deep into stoppage time, only for Carlos Miguel to push his low free kick on to the post.
The result extends a period of dominance in which either Palmeiras or Flamengo has lifted the trophy in five of the past seven seasons. For Luis, it marks a personal milestone. The former full back becomes the ninth man to win the competition as both a player and a coach, having triumphed with Flamengo in 2019 and 2022.
A cagey first half offered little fluency and no shots on target, although Flamengo midfielder Erick Pulgar was fortunate to escape a straight red card on the half hour after raking his studs down the leg of Bruno Fuchs.
The meeting was the clubs’ first in the final since 2021, when Palmeiras prevailed 2–1.
