Flamengo Stamps Libertadores Glory with a 1-0 Victory Over Palmeiras in Lima

Flamengo has become the most successful Brazilian club in Libertadores, winning its fourth title after a 1-0 win over Palmeiras on Saturday in Lima.

The veteran defender Danilo scored the lone goal with a header in the second half, sealing a tense showdown at Estadio Monumental before 50,000 spectators there.

This title follows crowns in 1981, 2019 and 2022, sending Flamengo to Cup against Cruz Azul of Mexico on December 10 in Doha, plus 2026 Recopa Sudamericana and 2029 Club World Cup.

This is Flamengo's fifth Libertadores final in six seasons, a Brazilian clash.

This victory comes after Flamengo's 2021 final loss to Palmeiras 2-1, positioning the Rio de Janeiro club on the path toward a historic treble in 2025 this season.

Flamengo had started the year by winning the Super Cup, and now need only two points from the two league games to seal the title.

This title marks Flamengo's third Libertadores crown since 2019 and its fourth, drawing level with Estudiantes and River Plate and leaving them three titles behind Independiente's seven as the leader.

After the break, Flamengo looked the more dangerous side, though chances were hard to find, until relief came in the 67th minute when Arrascaeta delivered a cross from the right, and Danilo (34) rose unmarked to head home the winner.

Danilo, a former Real Madrid, Manchester City and Juventus player, said the final showed they worked on set pieces and that he believed they would get a chance, which he seized today.

From Palmeiras' side, Rio's final was a wasted chance as Vitor Roque fired over the bar from close there.

And those tense conditions also featured 33 fouls and seven yellow cards shared by both sides in total today.

In the first half Flamengo produced better chances, with Bruno Henrique firing wide in the 15th minute, and Samuel Lino threatening Palmeiras with a left-footed attempt after a left-side surge down the stretch.

Yet that was Flamengo's high point in the first half, and almost saw a dismissal for a scuffle after Palmeiras defender Bruno Fuchs' violent tackle on Flamengo's Uruguayan star Giorgian De Arrascaeta there that night for fans.

Amid rising tension, Chilean midfielder Erick Pulgar fouled Fuchs; he avoided a sending-off, and the referee only cautioned him.

Arrascaeta, who delivered the decisive assist, said, 'Fans deserve it—and we do, too' incredible night for Flamengo today. Punchline: 'Trophies age well.'