Palmeiras thrash Universidad de Quito in Copa Libertadores U20 opener | OneFootball

At the moment when the professional team of Palmeiras confirmed the title of the Paulista Championship in Novo Horizonte (SP), the Verdão was also winning in youth football. On the night of this Sunday (8), in Ecuador, the Under-20 team thrashed Universidad de Quito 5-0 in their debut in the category's Libertadores. The goals of the victory were scored by Heitor, twice, Eduardo, and Bumbila, an Ecuadorian team defender, who scored two own goals.

With the result, Palmeiras leads Group B with three points, the same score as Olímpia-PAR. Sporting Cristal-PER and Universidad de Quito have not yet scored.

With the result, Verdão reached a mark of 29 unbeaten matches – 21 wins and 8 draws in this period. The last defeat happened in July 2025, against Ituano, in the first phase of the Paulista Under-20. Furthermore, Palestra still doesn't know what it's like to lose in the Under-20 Libertadores: in three editions, there are six wins and three draws.

Palmeiras Under-20: Kauan Lima; Luis Saboia (Ruan Yago), Benedetti, Koné, and André Lucas (Pimenta); João Paulo, Coutinho, and Erick Belé (Juliano); Riquelme Fillipi, Victor Gabriel (Eduardo), and Heittor (Antônio Marcos). Coach: Lucas Andrade.

Advantage built in the first half

Palmeiras started the match with more ball possession but faced difficulties against the high marking of the Ecuadorian team. Even so, they managed to create good opportunities and open the scoring at 13 minutes.

At 13 minutes of the first half, Erick Belé broke through the middle and served Heittor, who invaded the area and finished first to open the scoring. At the 36-minute mark, Riquelme Fillipi made an individual play on the left and found Heittor at the far post. The number 9 completed into the net, reaching his second in the game.

With the advantage, Palmeiras controlled the pace and maintained dominance until the break.

Rout confirmed in the second half

The second half began with Verdão again in the attacking field. Despite facing the altitude, the team maintained pressure on the opponent.

At 15 minutes of the second half, Erick Belé shot from the edge of the area, the goalkeeper saved, and on the rebound, Bumbila scored an own goal. In the 39th minute, Eduardo made a play on the right and crossed for Riquelme Fillipi, who headed and saw the defender send it into his own net.

Finally, at 42 minutes, Coutinho made a beautiful assist for Eduardo, and the forward took it past the goalkeeper with his right foot to score Palmeiras' last goal.

What's next?

In the next round of the Under-20 Libertadores, Palmeiras faces Olímpia-PAR this Wednesday (11), at 7 pm (Brasília time), at the Casa Blanca Stadium. The Paraguayan team also won in their debut by beating Sporting Cristal 4-1. Meanwhile, Universidad de Quito faces the Peruvians on the same day, at 9 pm, at the Atahualpa Olympic Stadium.

Palmeiras could become the first South American club to win titles in all Libertadores competitions organized by Conmebol. They have already won the Men's Football Libertadores, the Women's Football Libertadores, and the Under-13 Libertadores, with only the Under-20 tournament remaining.

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