Palmeiras and Athletico-PR decide first Libertadores finalist

The first finalist of the Libertadores Cup will be known on Tuesday (Sep. 6). Palmeiras and Athletico-PR will face each other at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo.

Athletico enters the field with the advantage of a draw, since they won the first leg at the Arena da Baixada, in Curitiba, a week ago, by 1-0. The green team must win by two or more goals difference to qualify in regular time. If the aggregate score at the end of 90 minutes is tied, the decision will be made in a penalty shootout.

Whoever wins will face either Flamengo or Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina), who are playing on Wednesday (Sep. 7), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro. Flamengo won the first leg 4-0 on Wednesday (Aug. 31), at José Amalfitani stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Libertadores final will take place on October 29 at the Monumental stadium in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Athletico hadn't reached the semifinals of the Libertadores Cup since 2005. On that occasion, Flamengo made it to its only final played so far, but it was defeated by São Paulo. Palmeiras, on the other hand, can become the Brazilian team that has participated in the highest number of decisive games in this main South American tournament, if it gets there for the seventh time, for the third consecutive time.

The match between Palmeiras and Athletico-PR starts at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).