Palmeiras secure a 2-1 first-leg victory over Fluminense at the Maracana, but a late header keeps the Copa Libertadores semi-final tie open ahead of the return match in Sao Paulo.
Palmeiras moved closer to the Copa Libertadores final with a 2-1 victory over Fluminense in the first leg of their semi-final at the Maracana Stadium on Wednesday, although a late goal kept the contest open ahead of next week’s decisive return fixture.
Goals from Argentine forward Jose Manuel Lopez and Marlon Freitas gave Palmeiras a two-goal advantage before substitute Wesley Nata pulled one back for Fluminense late in the match.
The result puts the Sao Paulo side in a favourable position heading into the second leg, which Palmeiras will host next Wednesday. The winner of the tie will advance to the final scheduled for Nov. 28 at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.
Fluminense enjoyed greater possession during the opening half but struggled to break through Palmeiras’ organised defence. The visitors were more effective when opportunities arose, using pace and precision on the counterattack to threaten the hosts.
Palmeiras took the lead in the 45th minute when a swift counterattack ended with Lopez finding the net, silencing the home crowd just before the interval.
Fluminense attempted to respond but found clear-cut chances difficult to create against their opponents’ disciplined defensive structure. Long-range efforts from Hulk, Nonato and Augustin Canobbio provided some of the hosts’ best opportunities in the first half, but none resulted in an equaliser.
The pattern continued after the break, with Fluminense controlling much of the possession and pressing forward in search of a breakthrough. Palmeiras remained compact defensively, limiting the hosts’ ability to convert their territorial advantage into goals.
Veteran Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio kept his team in contention by saving an attempt from Felipe Anderson in the 81st minute. However, Palmeiras extended their lead four minutes later when Freitas scored in the 85th minute to make it 2-0.
The hosts refused to give up. Substitute Nata responded with a powerful header late in the match, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and giving Fluminense renewed hope before the return leg.
The late goal could prove important as Fluminense prepare to travel to Sao Paulo for the second leg. Palmeiras retain the advantage, but the narrow margin leaves the semi-final tie unresolved.
Meanwhile, the other semi-final is scheduled to begin Thursday, with Argentina’s Estudiantes de La Plata hosting defending champions Flamengo in the first leg.
Estudiantes are the only non-Brazilian side remaining in the competition and will attempt to challenge Brazil’s recent dominance. Brazilian clubs have won the previous seven editions of the Copa Libertadores, dating back to River Plate’s triumph in 2018.
Palmeiras will look to protect their advantage in the return fixture, while Fluminense must overcome their opponents’ organised defence to keep their hopes of reaching the continental final alive.
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