Palmeiras win second consecutive Copa Libertadores

Montevideo, Nov 27 (EFE).- Sao Paulo football club Palmeiras successfully defended their Copa Libertadores title in Montevideo on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo thanks to goals from Raphael Veiga and Deyverson.

Five minutes into the match, a long ball by defender Gustavo Gómez was collected by right back Mayke and he passed a low cross to Raphael Veiga, who slotted it home to put Palmeiras ahead.

Despite opportunities to score in the first half, Flamengo were able to level only in the 72nd minute when Gabriel Barbosa caught Palmerias goalkeeper Weverton short with a low shot inside his near post.

Spurred by the equalizer, Flamengo went into attack mode in search of their second goal but the scoring opportunities dried up and the game went into extra time.

Palmeiras coach Ferreira sent in striker Deyverson, who only a few minutes later got a chance to tip the game in his team’s favor.

In the 96th minute, Deverson nipped in from behind to steal the ball from a slack Andreas Pereira and beat goalkeeper Diego Alves to net Palmeiras’ second goal.

Palmeiras is the first team to successfully defend the Copa Libertadores title since Boca Juniors in 2001. EFE

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