Flamengo won the 2025 Copa Libertadores thanks to a goal from former Real Madrid player Danilo da Silva in a final where the intensity reached its peak. The two best teams in the Brasileirao were facing each other, with ‘Fla’ as the absolute leader and Palmeiras second, five points behind. On paper it was very difficult to choose a favorite.
The Estadio Monumental U in Lima, Peru, was the venue for Conmebol’s most important club match. The Peruvian capital experienced a total celebration before and during the match. A music show combined with flags and two huge mosaics welcomed the 22 protagonists to the field. Subsequently, the Copa Libertadores anthem was sung at the top of their lungs.
The players matched the intensity of the crowd at the start of the match. The clock had not yet reached the second minute of the match and both teams had already been in the opponent’s area and Palmeiras were asking for a penalty for a non-existent play. A few minutes later, Filipe Luis’ ‘Fla’ took possession and unleashed all their attacking power. In five minutes, Flamengo had three chances to score and all of them were wasted. That was only in the 15th minute, a frenetic match that was true to its Conmebol DNA.What followed was even more intensity, but now without the ball. The match began to break down due to the large number of fouls. In just the first half, Flamengo committed nine fouls and received three yellow cards, while Palmeiras committed six and Raphael Veiga was cautioned.
In the second half, Filipe Luis’ team came out with all guns blazing and put ‘Verdao’ on the ropes. De Arrascaeta had a great chance inside the area, which was blocked by Murilo. Minutes later, in the 67th minute, the ‘Fla’ hero appeared. De Arrascaeta took a great corner to the edge of the six-yard box and Danilo, formerly of Real Madrid, headed unmarked to beat Carlos Miguel and send the Estadio Monumental U into a frenzy.
Filipe Luis knew how to move his pieces on the field so that Palmeiras could not break Flamengo’s defenseWith a great game and a tactical lesson from Filipe Luis to Abel Ferreira, Flamengo lifted its fourth Copa Libertadores, having already done so in 2022, 2019 and 1981.
The ‘Mengao’ could have one of the most successful weeks in its history, with only two rounds remaining in the Brasileirao and ‘Fla’ could be crowned next Thursday if it beats Ceara at the Maracana.
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