Libertadores keeps Flamengo and Palmeiras apart till Montevideo final | OneFootball

A possible new final between Flamengo and Palmeiras is surrounded by ‘ironies’

Fate would have it that the current Libertadores champion, Flamengo, and the current runner-up, Palmeiras, ended up on opposite sides of the knockout bracket for the competition in 2026. That means two of the most competitive teams on the continent today can only meet in a possible final.

Another irony of this possible clash between the Rio and São Paulo sides lies in the venue for the final: Montevideo. The Uruguayan capital also hosted the final in 2021, when Flamengo were beaten by Palmeiras in extra time at the Centenario Stadium.

Although they secured the continental title in 2025 against Palmeiras themselves—on the occasion they became the Brazilian club with the most Libertadores trophies—Flamengo may have another chance to live up to the phrase currently driving the fanbase: “no one gets away owing us.” A new meeting in the final would create a kind of ‘best-of-three’ between the clubs, considering the 2021 final and last season’s title match.

WHO ARE THE ROUND OF 16 OPPONENTS?

To confirm their path to the final, the teams must first get through the earlier rounds. Flamengo will face Cruzeiro in the round of 16. Meanwhile, Palmeiras will take on Cerro Porteño (PAR). The definition of these opening matchups marks the first step in the teams’ quest to reach the grand final.

WHAT IS THE PATH TO THE FINAL?

In addition to the two round-of-16 matches, the clubs will have to get through two more in the quarterfinals and two in the semifinals if they want to meet again in this season’s final. The bracket demands total focus in every round, since any slip-up ends the dream of lifting the trophy. The tournament will continue with the stages scheduled for the second half of 2026.

The pursuit of the continental title remains one of the priorities for both clubs. As a result, their recent history of meeting in finals only increases the anticipation for another showdown between Flamengo and Palmeiras.

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