Montevideo, November 28 (BNA): Palmeiras won the Copa Libertadores for the second year in a row when Deverson scored an extra-time goal that handed him a 2-1 win over Flamengo in an exciting all-Brazilian final on Saturday.
This is the third time Sao Paulo has won the European equivalent of South America’s Champions League after victories in 1999 and 2020, Reuters reports.
Rafael Vega put Palmeiras in front after five minutes when he hit a cross from the right, but Gabriel Barbosa equalized for Flamengo 18 minutes before the end of the match.
However, Deverson Slack took advantage of his defense by Andreas Pereira, on loan from Manchester United, to steal the ball 30 meters from the goal and then calmly beat goalkeeper Diego Alves after five minutes of extra time.
The result is a personal victory for Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira, who became the first European to win the Libertadores title twice.
It is also the first time that a team has successfully defended the Libertadores title since Boca Juniors in 2001.
“Everyone was saying Palmeiras died playing this game, but we are a team, a family,” Deverson said.
“The people who wrote us off before the match should respect us a little bit more. We deserve our congratulations.”
The 2019 Libertadores champion, Flamengo are unbeaten in this year’s competition after winning nine matches and drawing three out of 13, but fell behind on one of the counter-attacks that are the hallmark of the Palmeiras match.
Mayke tore down the right wing, and with Flamengo’s defense at sea, Rafael Vega sent a cross into the net.
Rio slowly got back into the game and dominated possession for the rest of the first half, although Palmeiras had more chances.
The second period was a different story as Flamengo pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
David Luiz and Georgian de Arrascaeta came close, but Barbosa, who had already missed two good chances, scored from nothing before 72 minutes passed.
The striker, nicknamed Gabigol, did well with De Arrascaeta and then grabbed Weverton goalkeeper with a low shot into the near post.
Both sides were cautious and principled in extra time and the match was decided when Pereira lost focus and Deverson fired from behind to steal the ball and score the winning goal.