Palmeiras vs Flamengo - Watch the 2021 Copa Libertadores Final

November 25, 2021 By Oscar Rojas

Topics: CONMEBOL, Copa Libertadores, Palmeiras, Flamengo, TV Schedules, TV Listings

The clash between these Brazilian titans will determine the winner of the tournament and the team that will earn a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The wait is over to know the identity of the winner of the 2021 Copa Libertadores. Two Brazilian teams have made it to the title clash in stellar fashion, and while both teams have the necessary credentials to take the title home, only one will be able to call themselves taller in this heated rivalry between two of the most winning teams from that South American country.

Given the events that took place back in 2018, when River Plate and Boca Juniors fans got entangled in a massive riot that had the game suspended, CONMEBOL decided to celebrate the title clash at a neutral venue. Hence, the historic Estadio Centenario will be hosting the clash in this new format.

Palmeiras will get to this match after dominating Group A. Abel Ferreira's men would go on to beat Universidad Católica in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 aggregate, sealing their spot in the quarterfinals to meet Sao Paulo, a club they went on to defeat with a 4-1 score. Their semi-final tie saw the Verdao clashing against Atlético Mineiro, a team they would defeat thanks to the away goals rule after two draws.

Being the current defending champions may give them a bit of advantage over Flamengo, but that does not mean that they have to be considered as massive favorites. Their form in the competition went downhill with each passing stage, and they will get to this clash on a four-game streak without a win, with three of those games ending in defeat.

On the other side of the pitch, Flamengo have reached their second Copa Libertadores Final in three years after winning Group G with an unbeaten record of three wins and three draws. The red and black side would go on to win their six matches in the KO stage, which included victories against Defensa y Justicia in the Round of 16 (5-1 aggregate), against Olimpia (9-1 aggregate), and in their semi-final tie against Barcelona (4-0 aggregate).

Speaking of their current form, the Rubro-Negro reach the title clash on a nine-game streak without a loss, which includes six wins. Their most recent match saw Renato Gaucho's men claiming a two-all draw against Gremio.

The clash will also give fans a chance to watch two of the tournament's top scorers. The first one of them is none other than Gabriel Barbosa, "Gabigol", who is the top scorer in the competition with ten goals. Facing him will be the always combative Rony, who has found the back of the net six times. Even there, Flamengo's striker will get in better shape than Palmeiras' main man, as Gabigol has found the back of the net four times during the knockout stages, while Rony has been unable to score in the deciding ties.

This will also be a clash between two previous winners of the Copa Libertadores: Abel Ferreira and Renato Gaúcho. Ferreira is the current Copa Libertadores winning coach, while Gaúcho led Gremio to the title in 2017. Added to that, Flamengo's boss won the title as a player in 1983 with Gremio. Hence, this will be a clash between two experienced managers.

This do-or-die clash for both teams will give fans quite a lot to talk about, but let's have a look at the main issues to consider before the match kicks off.

Palmeiras vs Flamengo - Who's in and who's out?

Palmeiras - Suspended: Marcos Rocha. Doubtful: Felipe Melo.

Flamengo - No injured players.

Palmeiras vs Flamengo - Head-to-head stats

This will be the first-ever Copa Libertadores match between these teams.
Flamengo enter this match on a nine-game streak without a loss against Palmeiras. Six of those have ended in wins for the Rubro-Negro.
Eight Flamengo players from the 2019 Copa Libertadores winning team are expected to start the game or to have a key role in it.
Palmeiras' last win against Flamengo took place on November 12, 2017. The game ended in a two-nil win for the Verdao.
Palmeiras' boss Abel Ferreira became the first European manager to reach two straight Copa Libertadores finals. He will now try to become the first to win two titles, which would break the tie between himself, Mirko Jozic and Jorge Jesús.
Renato Gaúcho will try to become the fifth Brazilian boss to win two Copa Libertadores titles. He would join the likes of Tele Santana, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Paulo Autori and legendary Santos' boss Lula.
Both teams will be looking for their third Copa Libertadores title.
Palmeiras will want to become the first team to win back-to-back Copa Libertadores titles since Boca Juniors accomplished that feat in the 2000 and the 2001 editions.