Palmeiras reach yet another Libertadores final, beat Fluminense on pens
The shootout ended 5-3 after Fluminense won 0-1 in São Paulo and Hércules scored late (82nd minute).
Palmeiras beat Fluminense in the 2026 Copa Libertadores, reaching the final for the second straight year after leveling the tie and winning the shootout 5-3. In São Paulo, Fluminense had gone ahead with a 0-1, but the tie slipped away when Hércules’ late strike was not enough in the decisive moments.
The penalty drama was driven by Carlos Miguel, who stopped Nonato’s kick; the decisive penalty was converted by Marlon Freitas against the veteran Fábio, finishing 5-3. Palmeiras will now play the final on November 28 in Montevideo, chasing a fourth Libertadores title against Flamengo or Estudiantes de La Plata.
It’s also a milestone for Abel Ferreira: this is his fourth Libertadores final since taking over the Palmeiras bench in November 2020, with two wins (2020 and 2021) and a loss in 2025 to Flamengo.
In the second leg, Fluminense pushed after the 1-2 setback at the Maracanã. Guilherme Arana tested Carlos Miguel early, and the match swung again when Julián Millán went off injured (Ignácio came on). With the game heading toward chaos, Natã played the ball through for Hulk, and Hércules scored in the 82nd minute to force the shootout.
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