Who: Palmeiras and Flamengo
Content: Copa Libertadores Final
Location: Monumental Stadium, Lima, Peru
Date and time: Saturday, November 29th, 4pm (21:00 GMT)
How to follow: All content will be broadcast on Al Jazeera Sports from 18:00 GMT, ahead of the text commentary stream.
Brazil’s recent dominance in the Copa Libertadores continues on Saturday as the South American nation lifts the continental trophy for the eighth time in the past nine years.
Flamengo finished second and third in Brazil’s Serie A behind Botafogo last season and now lead Palmeiras by five points with two games remaining this season.
Meanwhile, in Lima, Peru’s capital, the continent’s marquee trophy will be up for grabs, and perhaps with it, bragging rights to whoever tops the domestic league.
Al Jazeera Sports is covering Saturday’s final between the biggest names in the global club game outside of European football.
Who are the current Copa Libertadores holders?
Botafogo won the Brazilian Serie A title twice last season, as well as lifting the Copa Libertadores trophy.
This was Botafogo’s first appearance in the final, with a 3-1 victory over Atlético Mineiro in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
How did Palmeiras reach the Copa Libertadores final?
Rafael Veiga scored twice as Palmeiras overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit with a 4-0 victory over Ecuador’s Liga Deportiva in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals.
After goals from Ramon Sosa and Bruno Fuchs in the first half, midfielder Veiga scored in the 68th and 82nd minutes.
Abel Ferreira’s side won all six of their group stage matches, defeating Argentina’s River Plate in the quarter-finals.
How did Flamengo reach the Copa Libertadores final?
Flamengo overcame a goalless draw with Argentina’s Racing Club in the second leg of the semi-finals to advance to the Copa Libertadores final.
The Brazilian club managed to hold on to the 1-0 lead they had gained in the first leg despite playing most of the second half with 10 men after Gonzalo Plata was sent off in the 56th minute.
Flamengo were languishing in second place in their group with three wins and one loss from six games, needing a penalty shootout to defeat Argentina’s Estudiantes in the quarterfinals.
What is Palmeiras’ performance in the Copa Libertadores?
Palmerias is a three-time champion, the first coming in 1999. Their second title came in 2020, and their third title came the following season, defeating Flamengo in the final.
What is Flamengo’s performance in the Copa Libertadores?
Flamengo will also be aiming to win the prestigious South American competition for the fourth time, having won in 1981, 2019 and 2022.
How dominant is Brazil in the Copa Libertadores?
This is the eighth title contested by the Brazilian side in the past nine tournaments.
Brazilian teams have won every Copa Libertadores title since 2019, with Saturday’s finalists each picking up two wins in that span.
What happened the last time Palmeiras played Flamengo?
Flamengo defeated their closest rivals 3-2 in Brazil in October for the Serie A title. They also won 2-0 against Palmeiras earlier in the season, and with the domestic season drawing to a close, it appears to be the first game of a decisive league double.
Can trouble be expected in the Copa Libertadores final?
On Wednesday, Rio de Janeiro police and soccer fans clashed near the city’s international airport as Flamengo’s team prepared to fly to Peru to play Palmeiras.
According to local media, more than a dozen fans boarded the Flamengo bus through the roof while thousands of people cheered outside. Footage showed authorities using tear gas and rubber bullets during the clashes, and some fans fighting back.
Flamengo midfielder Saul Niguez joked about the incident on his social media channels, showing fans boarding the bus from above.
“We have some new signings,” the former Atletico Madrid player wrote.
The Brazilian club has not commented on the incident. Authorities have not commented on any injuries or arrests.
direct confrontation
This is the 48th time the two teams have played each other, with Flamengo winning 16 times and Palmeiras 15 times.
Palmeiras team news
Figueiredo remains sidelined due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained in March.
Lucas Evangelista was ruled out with a thigh problem, while former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho was ruled out with a shin injury.
The goalkeeper’s availability remains a big question after Webberton suffered a broken hand, but his return has not been completely ruled out after recently returning to light training.
Flamengo team news
Gonzalo Plata was ruled out due to suspension after receiving a red card in the semi-final match against Racing Club. Pedro is out with a thigh injury.
Enrique came on as a substitute in the most recent league match against Atlético Mineiro, scored the equalizer late on, and is pushing towards becoming a starter.
Palmeiras expected starting lineup
Lomba; Kerben, Gómez, Cerqueira, Piqueres. Moreno, Alan. Pereira, Lopez, Anderson. location
Flamengo predicted starting lineup
Rossi. Sandro, Pereira, Danilo, Barrera. Jorginho, Pulgar. De Arrascueta, Carrascal, Araujo. enrique
