Analysis: Carlos Miguel a bright spot for Palmeiras in a gloomy year-end | OneFootball

Palmeiras took advantage of Atlético-MG's defensive mistakes and defeated the team from Minas Gerais 3-0 on Wednesday night (3rd) in Belo Horizonte, breaking a five-game winless streak in the Brasileirão. Flaco López and Allan secured the victory with goals in the first half, and Luighi increased the score in the second half, but the standout player of the match was goalkeeper Carlos Miguel.

The goalkeeper, by far the best on the field, and the Palmeiras players celebrated in a subdued manner because the win meant little, as Flamengo defeated Ceará at Maracanã and secured the Brasileirão title with one round to spare.

Verdão started the game implementing everything that had been missing in the last five matches. Pressuring the opponent's ball out, two mistakes by the Atlético defense led to two Palmeiras goals in less than 20 minutes: Flaco López scored in the eighth minute, taking advantage of Junior Alonso's error, and Allan scored in the 19th, after a mistake by Guilherme Arana.

Atlético, even at a disadvantage, only went on the attack after Palmeiras lost Piquerez, who was sent off for a sliding tackle. With ten men on the field, the team pulled back and was pressed by Atlético, which turned Carlos Miguel into the best player on the pitch.

With at least five great saves, Carlos showed that he can (and should) be the natural replacement for Weverton, who will be available to Abel Ferreira again in 2026. At 27 years old, the goalkeeper is set to start next year as the first-choice after a good run during Weverton's injury, accelerating the passing of the torch in the Palmeiras goal.

In addition to his great saves, Atlético-MG hit the post three times and even found the net with Rony, but the goal was disallowed because VAR spotted the former Palmeiras striker's arm on the ball after (yet another) save by Carlos Miguel.

Near the end of the game, Alviverde launched a counterattack and Luighi sealed the final score in Belo Horizonte: 3-0, but it did little to help.

What now?

The win over Atlético-MG was not enough to keep Palmeiras in the title race, which went to Flamengo – the team from Rio defeated Ceará at Maracanã and clinched the championship with one round to spare, with 78 points against Verdão's 73, with only three points left to play for.

Verdão returns to the field next Sunday (7th), at 4pm (Brasília time), for their last match of the 2025 season, facing Ceará at Arena Castelão.

Upcoming Palmeiras matches

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.