Palmeiras takes first-leg lead at the Maracanã
Palmeiras defeated Fluminense 2-1 on Wednesday at the Maracanã in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores 2026 semifinals. The visiting team took the lead through Argentine forward José Manuel "Flaco" López, who scored the opening goal, and Marlon added a second. Despite Palmeiras controlling much of the match, Fluminense found a late consolation through Natã, keeping the tie alive. The result gives Palmeiras a one-goal advantage going into the second leg in São Paulo.[S1][S2][S3]
With the 2-1 win, Palmeiras will play the return leg at home knowing that a draw is enough to secure a place in the final. Fluminense, on the other hand, must win by two or more goals as visitors to overturn the deficit, or by a single goal to force a penalty shootout. The second leg promises to be a tense affair, with both teams still harboring hopes of reaching the Libertadores final.[S1]
Road to the semifinals
Fluminense, the 2023 Copa Libertadores champions, reached the semifinals by eliminating Platense in the quarterfinals. The Brazilian side won the first leg 2-0 at the Maracanã and, despite losing 2-1 in the return leg in Vicente López, advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score. Palmeiras, meanwhile, overcame Cerro Porteño in the round of 16 and Liga de Quito in the quarterfinals to book their place in the last four.[S1]
The match was officiated by Facundo Tello, with Silvio Trucco as the VAR. The game kicked off at 21:30 local time at the Maracanã and was broadcast on Fox Sports and Disney+ Premium. Fluminense's starting lineup featured Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Ignacio, Julián Millán, Guilherme Arana; Martinelli, Nonato, Lucho Acosta; Agustín Canobbio, Rodrigo Castillo, and Yeferson Soteldo, under coach Marcão. Palmeiras fielded Carlos Miguel; Antonio Barboza, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo; Agustín Giay, Lucas Evangelista, Andreas Pereira, Jhon Arias, Joaquín Piquerez; José Manuel López and Vitor Roque, coached by Abel Ferreira.[S1]
