Palmeiras Stuns River Plate to Reach Copa Libertadores Semifinals

Match Overview

In a pulsating quarter‑final tie at São Paulo’s Allianz Parque, Palmeiras turned a shaky start into a triumphant 3‑1 victory over Argentina’s River Plate, sealing a 5‑2 aggregate win and a place in the Copa Libertadores semifinals. The Argentine side arrived with a reputation for disciplined, high‑press football and made that clear within the opening minutes.

Maximiliano Salas broke the deadlock before the ten‑minute mark, finishing a well‑rehearsed free‑kick routine that left the home defence scrambling. The early goal rattled Palmeiras, who struggled to carve out clear chances against River’s compact back line. Goalkeeper Franco Armani was pivotal, pulling off a series of reflex saves that kept the visitors ahead into the break.

The second half began with a different rhythm. Just five minutes after the restart, 20‑year‑old striker Vitor Roque found space at the edge of the box and tucked the ball home, leveling the aggregate score and igniting the crowd. The equaliser sparked a surge of energy, with Palmeiras pressing higher and testing the Argentine goalkeeper more frequently.

As the clock wound down, tension mounted. In injury time, José López emerged as the decisive figure. The forward unleashed two precise strikes from just outside the penalty area, each showcasing composure and clinical finishing. His first goal restored the lead, and the second, a thunderous finish, extinguished any hope of a River comeback.

• Maximiliano Salas (River Plate) – 9′
• Vitor Roque (Palmeiras) – 50′
• José López (Palmeiras) – 90+2′, 90+4′

Implications and Next Steps

The win marks Palmeiras’ 12th appearance in the Libertadores semifinals, reinforcing their standing as one of South America’s elite clubs. Coach Abel Ferreira praised his squad’s resilience, noting that overturning an early setback against a team of River’s caliber speaks to the depth and mental toughness of his roster.

Looking ahead, Palmeiras now face a semifinal opponent that is yet to be decided pending the other quarter‑final tie. Analysts predict a clash with either a Brazilian heavyweight or a resilient Chilean side, setting the stage for a dramatic continuation of the tournament.

For River Plate, the loss is a bitter reminder that early dominance must translate into a full‑match performance. Their coach highlighted the need to tighten the defense in the final third and to provide more support to Armani, whose heroics could not fully compensate for the lack of goals.