Palmeiras begin Libertadores with sights on repeating recent group-stage dominance | OneFootball

Palmeiras open their Libertadores group campaign on Wednesday, 8 April, against Junior Barranquilla, aiming to extend a recent habit of finishing with the competition’s best overall record.

According to Nosso Palestra, since 2018 the Verdão have led the overall group standings in six editions, in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2025, underlining a sustained period of dominance.

In 2018 under Roger Machado they took 16 points without defeat, then knocked out Cerro Porteño and Colo-Colo before losing to Boca Juniors in the semi-finals. In 2019 with Luiz Felipe Scolari they reached 15 points, level with Cruzeiro, beat Godoy Cruz, then went out to Grêmio in the quarter-finals on away goals.

In 2020 they again topped the group with 16 points, starting under Vanderlei Luxemburgo and going on to lift the trophy with Abel Ferreira after beating Santos in the Maracanã final. In 2021, despite the second-best overall tally of 15 points, they eliminated Universidad Católica, São Paulo and Atlético-MG, then defeated Flamengo in Montevideo to retain the title.

In 2022 they posted a perfect six wins for 18 points but were halted by Athletico-PR in the semi-finals. In 2023 they led overall with 15 points and fell in the last four to Boca Juniors.

In 2024 they still topped their group but ranked only third overall with 14 points, then exited in the last 16 to Botafogo, who became champions. In 2025 they were perfect again with 18 points, eventually finishing runners-up after losing the final to Flamengo.

Next up are Junior Barranquilla v Palmeiras in the Libertadores on 08/04, Wednesday, 21h30 Brasília time, then Corinthians v Palmeiras in the Brasileiro on 12/04, Sunday, 18h30 Brasília time.

Source: Nosso Palestra