Palmeiras thrash Junior Barranquilla, qualify in second in Libertadores | OneFootball

Palmeiras thrashed Junior Barranquilla 4-1 in a decisive Conmebol Libertadores match and secured qualification for the next stage of the continental competition this Thursday (28) at the Allianz Parque. Jhon Arias (2), Allan and Andreas Pereira scored Palmeiras’ goals in the match.

For the first time in the Abel Ferreira era, Verdão qualified as the second-placed team in its Libertadores group. Cerro Porteño of Paraguay finished top of the group.

First half

In the very first minute, Junior Barranquilla threatened, but the ball went over the goal defended by Carlos Miguel.

In the fifth minute, Palmeiras responded in style: goal by Jhon Arias! Emiliano Martínez played a beautiful long ball to Flaco López, who found the Colombian unmarked to open the scoring.

In the 21st minute, Junior threatened again. After a cross into the box, the ball deflected off Arthur and went just wide of the Palmeiras goal.

In the 35th minute, the Colombian side equalized through Muriel, who fired a low shot with no chance for Carlos Miguel.

Verdão responded quickly! In the 40th minute, Flaco López combined with Arthur, got the ball back, dribbled past two defenders, but was blocked as he tried to shoot. From the rebound, Allan was in the right place to put Palmeiras back in front.

And there was more! In the 44th minute, Flaco López made another great play and sent Jhon Arias through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Colombian made no mistake and scored his second goal of the match.

Second half

Right in the first minute of the second half, the referee awarded a penalty for Giay’s foul on Luis Muriel. After a VAR review, the decision was overturned.

Soon after, Palmeiras responded with a quick counterattack. Allan found Jhon Arias in a good position, but the Colombian was unable to get his shot away.

In the 51st minute, Murilo set up Andreas Pereira, who unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box to add another in Palmeiras’ rout.

Then, in the 73rd minute, Emiliano Martínez won a penalty for Verdão. However, after another VAR check, the referee changed the call and canceled the decision. In the 87th minute, Junior Barranquilla hit Carlos Miguel’s post.

What now?

After qualifying for the Libertadores round of 16, Palmeiras will say goodbye to the players called up for the World Cup. So far, Jhon Arias and Flaco López have been called up. Emiliano Martínez, Piquerez (already with the national team), Maurício, Ramón Sosa and Gustavo Gómez, for Uruguay and Paraguay respectively, are awaiting a call-up.

This Sunday (31), Verdão returns to the pitch against Chapecoense at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) in an important Brazilian Championship match.

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