Redemption Complete As Flamengo Overcome Palmeiras to Lift Libertadores Title In Lima | OneFootball

It’s not often in knockout football that the very best go head-to-head in the final. Seedings, upsets, and tough routes usually deny us that dream matchup. But the 2025 Copa Libertadores final delivered exactly that, as South America’s two strongest sides, Palmeiras and Flamengo, the giants of Brazil, met once again in a rematch of the 2021 showpiece.

The city of Lima had been buzzing all week, filled with excitement and anticipation. Flamengo fans flocked to the waterfront shopping district, turning the area into a sea of red and black, while pockets of Palmeiras supporters also gathered nearby.

For every Palmeiras fan in Lima, there seemed to be ten Flamengo fans. The Rio de Janeiro giants are one of the best-supported clubs in world football, and it was impossible to ignore. On the morning of the final, “MENGO!” echoed from hotel balconies to the streets below,  like a roaring rooster’s wake-up call, announcing Flamengo’s presence across the city.

The traffic had been a prominent feature throughout the week in Lima, and that was backed up when the kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes.

As the players warmed up, the fans of both Flamengo and Palmeiras made plenty of noise, and as the team lineups were read out, Andreas Pereira was given the loudest cheer from the Palmeiras faithful and loud boo’s from the Rubro Negro crowd, given his error in 2021 handed Palmeiras the title in Montevideo.

Traditional music was played, and a helicopter donning the Peruvian flag flew overhead before both club anthems were played, giving the feeling of a boxing match walkout, which was even more present when Felipe Melo and Júlio César, former players of both clubs, raised the trophy to both sets of fans.

Last week in Asunción, jets flew overhead as part of the ceremony, which Peru replied with fighter jets looping over the Estadio Monumental.

After some drumming and Sandstorm by Darude blasting the speakers, it was time for the action to begin as Flamengo got things underway.

The opening exchanges were cautious, to say the least, with Palmeiras solid in their defensive back five. Some crafty work from Samuel Lino saw Giorgian de Arrascaeta have a shot, which was blocked by Gustavo Gomez. Rahpael Veiga was shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul in the build-up.

The Rubro Negro began to flex their muscles as some bright work by Guillermo Varela saw him play a beautiful ball to Bruno Henrique, an experienced man you would want one-on-one with the goalkeeper; however, he fluffed his lines, sending the ball high into the Palmeiras crowd.

Then moments later, Lino was involved again with some clever play on the right, cutting inside and hitting his shot narrowly past Carlos Miguel’s goal.

Vitor Roque, who played in a Libertadores final defeat to Athletico Paranaense in 2022, got on the end of a Khellven cross, heading into the ground as the ball narrowly bounced over the bar for Palmeiras’ first real chance of the half.

De Arrascaeta was shown Flamengo’s first yellow of the game for a late challenge on Vitor Roque before Erick Pulgar sparked a flare-up for a kick on Bruno Fuchs, which brought another yellow, and he was later joined in the book by his midfield partner, Jorginho.

Palmeiras thought they had their first corner of the game in the dying embers of the first half when Joaquín Piquerez shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide; however, referee Darío Herrera decided he had seen enough and blew his whistle to signal the end of the half.

After the break, Palmeiras fans pulled out several green and white flags and waved them in harmony with one another as Flamengo responded with chants, waving their own red and black banners.

Flamengo fans at the 2025 Copa Libertadores final in Lima. Photo by Luis Smith.

The first real chance of the second half arrived on the hour mark. Alex Sandro whipped in a delightful cross towards Jorge Carrascal, but the midfielder couldn’t steer his header on target, sending it wide of the post.

Carrascal was involved again as he whipped in a strong cross, but Bruno Fuchs was there to deal with it, heading the ball behind for another Flamengo corner. Fuchs had been one of Palmeiras’ standout performers on the day, with a solid defensive display keeping the Flamengo attack in check. But from the resulting corner, he could do nothing…

De Arrascaeta delivered a brilliant ball into the box, and Danilo rose highest to power a header past the helpless Carlos Miguel, who had no chance, firing the Rubro-Negro into a one-goal lead.

The goal meant Palmeiras had no choice but to break out of their disciplined defensive shape and finally chase the equaliser.

Murillo sent a driven effort just wide, and soon after, Palmeiras built a lovely move of their own. Flaco López lifted the ball into the air and Gustavo Gómez met it perfectly, cushioning a header into the path of Vitor Roque, who slammed the ball into the defender and way over the bar from close range, a huge chance fluffed.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Flamengo earned a free-kick in a dangerous area. Everton stepped up and struck it brilliantly, forcing Carlos Miguel into a strong save to keep Palmeiras alive, at least for a moment.

But it simply wasn’t to be for Verdão. The final whistle confirmed their heartbreak, while Flamengo celebrated glory. A record fourth Copa Libertadores title for a Brazilian club and a monumental achievement in Filipe Luís’s first full year as manager.

Flamengo fans were already chanting about winning an incredible four-peat, having won the Carioca, Supercopa, and Copa Libertadores, and they are just one win away from securing an eighth Brasileirão title.

The celebrations exploded everywhere: in Rio de Janeiro, across Brazil, and on the streets of Lima. Kennedy Park was flooded with jubilant Flamengo fans, drums echoing into the night as the Rubro-Negro celebrated yet another Libertadores triumph, their third in six years and their second in Lima in this period.