Marlon Freitas stepped up to convert the decisive penalty as Palmeiras edged past Fluminense in a tense shootout to reach the Copa Libertadores final for the second consecutive year.
The semi-final second leg at Nubank Parque in Sao Paulo ended 2-1 to Fluminense on the night, but the aggregate score was tied 2-2 after the first leg. Fluminense stunned Palmeiras late in normal time when Hercules fired in the equaliser with eight minutes remaining. That goal pushed the match straight to penalties, eliminating any chance of extra time.
Palmeiras goalkeeper Carlos Miguel played a decisive role by saving Fluminense’s fourth penalty from Nonato. With the score at 4-3 against them in the shootout, Marlon Freitas calmly converted the fifth kick to send Palmeiras through to their seventh Copa Libertadores final.
Palmeiras had been chasing a late goal to avoid the shootout, but Fluminense’s resilience forced the outcome to penalties. The Brazilian side’s victory means they will contest the final for the second year running after finishing as runners-up last year.
Their next opponents will be decided by the outcome of the other semi-final between Flamengo, the reigning champions, and Argentina’s Estudiantes. That tie is finely poised after a goalless first leg in Buenos Aires last week. The second leg will take place at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium on Thursday.
Palmeiras’ journey to the final has been marked by tight matches, and their ability to handle pressure in the shootout underlines their experience on South America’s biggest club stage. The club’s seventh appearance in the final ties them among the competition’s most frequent contenders.
Fluminense’s late goal offered hope of overturning the deficit from the first leg, but the penalty miss by Nonato proved costly. Palmeiras’ goalkeeper Carlos Miguel’s save shifted momentum, allowing Marlon Freitas to clinch the win.
The final is scheduled for next month in Montevideo, where Palmeiras will aim to improve on last year’s runner-up finish and claim the trophy. Meanwhile, the winner of the Flamengo versus Estudiantes match will join them in the decisive fixture.
According to Yahoo Sports.