Palmeiras beat Fluminense 2-1 at Maracana as Wesley's late goal keeps Copa Libertadores semi-final alive

Palmeiras take control in Rio

Palmeiras have a 2-1 lead to defend in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final next week, though it could have been more. Wesley Nata's stoppage-time goal gave Fluminense hope in their bid to reach the Copa Libertadores final, but they still have it all to do after a 2-1 first-leg defeat at the Maracana.

It was three-time champions and 2025 runners-up Palmeiras who took control in Rio. Flaco Lopez and Marlon Freitas struck to put them 2-0 up before Wesley cut their lead to one goal late on.

A tense first half

Neither team threatened with regularity during a tense first half. Carlos Miguel stood tall to deny Fluminense forward Hulk shortly before Palmeiras opened the scoring in stoppage time. Joaquin Piquerez crossed first-time from the left after an underlapping run in support of Andreas Pereira, and although Lopez's shot on the slide was straight at Fluminense goalkeeper Fabio, he could not keep it out.

Second-half chances and the decisive goal

Fabio was forced into a sharp save by Piquerez at the start of the second half, while a glancing header from Agustin Canobbio drifted wide at the other end. Fabio then smothered Felipe Anderson's shot, but when he parried Ramon Sosa's attempt in the 85th minute, Fluminense failed to clear their lines and Freitas drove a half-volley into the bottom-left corner.

Fluminense's performance was largely flat, but they now need to overturn only a one-goal deficit in Sao Paulo. Wesley headed Guga's floated cross over the stranded Carlos Miguel three minutes into added time.

Fluminense's home record ends

Fluminense were playing their third Copa Libertadores semi-final tie and had never previously lost a match at this stage (W2 D2), scoring at least two goals in each of those games and progressing to the final on both occasions (2008 and 2023). They had also never lost a home knockout match in the Copa Libertadores, with 15 wins and five draws in 20 attempts. Those records were swept away in this defeat, and they will have to work harder if they are to reach South America's showpiece match for a third time.

Fluminense may feel fortunate to have received a lifeline late on. They generated only 0.48 expected goals (xG) from 11 shots, compared to Palmeiras' 1.18 from seven.

Palmeiras' record and Lopez's form

After scoring the opener, Lopez leads all Palmeiras players for both goals and assists (four of each) in this year's Copa Libertadores. Palmeiras have not avoided defeat in seven of their last 10 away Libertadores games against fellow Brazilian teams (W4 D3 L3).