Palmeiras end four-year penalty jinx to reach Libertadores semi-finals after Quito shock | OneFootball

Palmeiras held their nerve to beat LDU 4-3 on penalties at Casa Blanca, sealing a Copa Libertadores semi-final spot after a 3-2 defeat in normal time. Goalkeeper Carlos Miguel saved two in the shootout.

The Brazilians had surrendered a 2-1 lead between 44 and 50 minutes, were without the dismissed Abel Ferreira, and faced altitude and a raucous Quito crowd. According to Globo.com, they had won only one shoot-out under the current staff, in 2022.

Before the kicks, the squad huddled to steady the takers after the late collapse. Lucas Evangelista said the two quick goals shook them, so they turned the page and tried to think positively, while Piquerez stressed calm and lowering adrenaline.

Piquerez, involved in five of the nine shoot-outs in the Abel era, set history aside and converted. Vitor Roque, Mauricio and Felipe Anderson also scored, while Lucas Evangelista missed then apologised and thanked Carlos Miguel.

After losing the 2024 Supercopa, Abel had admitted penalties were not the team’s strength despite daily practice. Assistant Vitor Castanheira voiced the relief as Palmeiras reached a sixth semi-final in seven editions.

Source: Globo.com

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