In a tightly contested all-Brazilian final, Flamengo secured their fourth Copa Libertadores championship with a 1-0 victory against Palmeiras on Saturday. The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute when veteran defender Danilo da Silva, leveraging his European experience from stints at Juventus, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, powered a clinical header into the net.
This triumph marks Flamengo’s second title in four years, having previously lifted the prestigious trophy in 2019 and 1981. The victory not only earned the Rio de Janeiro-based club a grand prize of $24 million but also secured their qualification for the expanded 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. As the runner-up, Palmeiras will receive a consolation prize of $7 million.
The win further cements Brazil’s dominance in South American club football. This seventh consecutive victory for a Brazilian team in the tournament ties the nation with Argentina for the most Copa Libertadores titles overall, with both footballing powerhouses now boasting 25 crowns each. The last non-Brazilian team to win the competition was Argentina’s River Plate back in 2018.
Flamengo’s calendar remains packed with high-stakes matches. The club is now set to face Lanús, the recent Copa Sudamericana champion, in the Recopa Sudamericana, a contest between the champions of CONMEBOL’s two premier club competitions.