The Conmebol Libertadores is a South American tournament, but lately it has started to resemble a Brazilian Cup. For the seventh consecutive year, a Brazilian team will lift the continent’s most prestigious trophy.
On Thursday night, Palmeiras pulled off a historic comeback, overturning a 3–0 deficit from the first leg against LDU with a stunning 4–0 victory at home. Meanwhile, Flamengo confirmed their place in the final after dispatching Racing in two disciplined performances.
Both finalists represent the gold standard of Brazilian football: financially stable, tactically consistent, and fiercely competitive. They’re also neck and neck in the 2025 Brasileirão title race, making this final a true decider of supremacy.
And now, the question: who will be the first Brazilian team to win the Libertadores four times? So let’s analyze these two giants to try to answer this…
Palmeiras: The Consistent Contender
Palmeiras arrive in Lima with the poise of a seasoned continental powerhouse. Under Abel Ferreira, the Verdão have now reached three of the last six Libertadores finals.
In the group stage, they were the only Brazilian club with a 100% record (six wins in six matches), finishing with the tournament’s best overall campaign. Since 2020, Palmeiras boast an 87.5% win rate in Libertadores group play — a staggering 27 wins, 3 draws, and just 2 defeats.
After easily dispatching Universitario (Round of 16) and River Plate (quarterfinals), the São Paulo giants showed their trademark resilience by stunning LDU with a 4–0 comeback win in the semifinal second leg.
Flamengo: Efficiency Over Spectacle
Flamengo, led by rookie coach Filipe Luís, were less dominant early on but grew stronger with every round. After finishing second in their group, they beat Internacional 3–0 on aggregate in the Round of 16 and edged past Estudiantes in the quarters, thanks to goalkeeper Augustín Rossi’s heroics in a penalty shootout.
In the semifinals, Flamengo confirmed their superiority by eliminating Racing with two 1–0 wins. More than flair, the Rubro-Negro displayed emotional control, defensive solidity, and experience: all hallmarks of a champion.
Key Players: Depth and Decisiveness
With both squads valued well above €150 million, Palmeiras and Flamengo have star-studded rosters packed with match-winners. But a few names have stood out with their consistency and leadership:
Jose “Flaco” López – The Argentine forward, alongside Vitor Roque, forms a lethal attacking duo. He’s scored seven goals and provided one assist in the tournament, earning the team’s best Sofascore rating at 7.33.
Gustavo Gómez – The Paraguayan captain remains the defensive backbone. With a 7.31 rating, he leads Palmeiras in clearances and aerial duels won throughout the competition.
Giorgian De Arrascaeta – The Uruguayan playmaker continues to be the team’s creative heartbeat, with 34 goal contributions (20 goals + 14 assists) in 54 appearances in 2025.
Augustín Rossi – A fortress between the posts, the Argentine keeper has kept 8 clean sheets in 12 Libertadores games, including two decisive penalty saves against Estudiantes.
History Repeats Itself
The 2025 final carries a strong sense of déjà vu. In 2021, Palmeiras defeated Flamengo 2–1 in Montevideo after a costly error by Andreas Pereira — now, in a twist of fate, Andreas wears the Palmeiras shirt and could rewrite his own story.
Flamengo, meanwhile, chase redemption and their fourth continental crown. The venue might bring them luck: Estadio Monumental in Lima hosted the first-ever single-match Libertadores final in 2019, where Gabigol scored twice in the dying minutes to give Flamengo a legendary comeback win over River Plate.
Tactical Minds in Charge
Abel Ferreira celebrates five years at Palmeiras, marking the milestone with the 4–0 win over LDU. Under his leadership, the club has become synonymous with stability, mentality, and excellence, collecting two Libertadores, two Brazilian league titles, and two Copa do Brasil trophies.
Filipe Luís, on the other hand, represents the new generation of Brazilian coaches. A former left-back and club icon, he played in the 2021 final — and now leads Flamengo to another one in his first full season as manager. Admired by players and fans alike, Filipe blends modern tactical ideas with the calm of a veteran who knows how to handle final.
Who Has the Edge?
Bookmakers give Flamengo a slight advantage, with average odds of 2.30 to win, compared to 2.60 for Palmeiras. But that margin reflects just how finely balanced this matchup truly is.
Palmeiras bring cohesion, depth, and the longest-serving coach in Brazil. Flamengo counter with experience, creativity, and proven match-winners.
On paper, Flamengo have the flashier squad. On the pitch, Palmeiras have the sharper machine. So the answer above will be know on November 29, in Lima. Another all-Brazilian final to decide not just the 2025 Copa Libertadores champion, but the next chapter in Brazil’s continental dynasty.