Palmeiras loses to Cerro Porteno (0-1), while Flamengo beats Estudiantes (1-0)
Palmeiras, coached by Abel Ferreira, were surprised at home by Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño (0-1) and missed the opportunity to secure early qualification for the next phase of Group F, while Flamengo, coached by Leonardo Jardim, beat Argentinian side Estudiantes 1-0 and are the clear leaders of Group A.
A big surprise at Allianz Parque saw Palmeiras deliver a lackluster performance, allowing themselves to be surprised by a daring Cerro Porteño side who took the lead early in the second half following a quick transition, with a header from Pablo Vegetti, formerly of Vasco da Gama.
Palmeiras had not lost at home for five years, since May 18, 2021, against Defensa y Justicia (3-4), and with this defeat, Abel Ferreira’s team, with 8 points, loses first place to their direct rival who now has 10 points, while, in the other game of the same group, Junior Barranquilla (4 points) beat Sporting Cristal (6 points) by 3-2.
Pedro decides at Maracanã
Meanwhile, Flamengo, also playing at home, beat Estudiantes (1-0) and have already qualified for the round of 16, given the cancellation of the match against the Colombians of Independiente Medellín due to a protest by the fans, which should award three points administratively to Leonardo Jardim’s team.
A balanced duel at the Maracana saw Pedro, despite the frustration of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, unlock the scoring following a mistake by Muslera, with his 19th goal of the season.
With this victory, the Rio de Janeiro team reaches 10 points, three more than Independiente Medellin, four more than Estudiantes, and nine more than Cusco.