The quarterfinals of the 2025 Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana concluded on Thursday. Brazilian clubs continued their domination over Argentinian opposition, as Palmeiras, perhaps Brazil’s most accomplished team globally and on the continent in recent years, advanced past the famous but past-their-prime River Plate 5-2 on aggregate.
They were joined in the semifinals by Brazilian powerhouse Flamengo and Ecuador’s king of cups LDU Quito, while Argentina still has representation in the form of defending Sudamericana champions Racing Club, who edged domestic rivals Velez Sarsfield 2-0 to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1997.
The Sudamericana semis feature teams from four different nations and both matchups will be compelling.
Palmeiras Dismantles Marcelo Gallardo’s River Plate
Legendary River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo (2014-2022) returned to the helm in 2024 after a two-year absence. In 2024, he suffered a heavy defeat in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores, 3-0 to Atletico Mineiro. Facing a Brazilian club in the quarterfinals this time, the result was another defeat, with Palmeiras prevailing 5-3 on aggregate, winning the final leg 3-1 at home, despite River Plate having early hope in the matchup. Gallardo’s tactics were widely criticized. In the first leg, River Plate trailed 2-0 at halftime at home, as Vitor Roque scored in the 41st minute, following an early goal from Paraguayan defender Gustavo Gomez in the 6th minute.
River Plate brought in Juan Fernando Quintero, an accomplished 32-year-old Colombian international, to orchestrate their attack in the second half. He sparked a comeback, with River Plate scoring in the 89th minute to keep hopes alive for the return leg in Brazil.
At the start of the second leg, River looked fearless. Quintero, starting this time, assisted a goal from Maxi Salas, a player who joined River from Racing Club. Quintero had joined from Colombian side América de Cali, which had failed to pay his salary.
The second half saw Palmeiras extinguish the hopes of Argentina’s La Grandeza. Roque scored again to tie the game. Quintero was taken off for Facundo Colidio 10 minutes later, and from there, Palmeiras dictated the action while leading on aggregate. River Plate’s substitutes failed to make an impact, and the dagger came in the 87th minute as Marcos Acuna was red-carded, triggering a penalty. 24-year-old Palmeiras forward Jose “Flaco” Lopez, an Argentine, scored a brace to end the game 3-1 on the night and 5-2 overall.
An aging River Plate squad featuring 39-year-old captain Enzo Perez, 33-year-old Acuna, 35-year-old Nacho Fernandez, and 32-year-old Miguel Borja desperately needs rejuvenation. Palmeiras, the champion of the Libertadores in 2020 and 2021, are now favorites to lift the title in 2025 and secure another appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup.
LDU Quito Dominates Sao Paulo to Reach Libertadores Semifinals
The historic Ecuadorian club LDU Quito, two-time Sudamericana champions and 2008 Libertadores champions, were the stronger team over two legs against Sao Paulo, a G-12 club with three Libertadores trophies. Trailing by 2-0 after the first leg, Sao Paulo needed to attack at home but could not find the net. On an xG of 1.42 in the first half and 2.84 overall, with 75% possession and 11 shots on goal, Sao Paulo ended up scoreless. Colombian striker Jeison Medina scored Quito’s only shot on target in the 41st minute, marking LDU Quito’s second elimination of a Brazilian opponent this season, after defeating 2024 Libertadores champions Botafogo in the previous round.
Quito’s Brazilian manager Tiago Nunes said to the media about the victory “There are some things that money can’t buy, we have a big heart”
Sao Paulo fans were frustrated by the result and injury issues that kept stars Andre Silva, Jonathan Calleri, Lucas Moura, Oscar, and Luiz Gustavo out of action. That was millions of dollars in talent unavailable to help the team.
With two of the eight remaining teams in either the Libertadores or Sudamericana tournaments coming from Liga Ecuabet, Ecuadorian football continues its golden era. The national team secured a 2026 World Cup berth, finishing second in qualifying and displaying some of the best defensive football in South America.
Flamengo Faces Racing Club in Libertadores Semifinals
Brazil’s most widely supported club, Flamengo, are into the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores. After a 2-1 win in the first leg, where Flamengo scored twice in the first 10 minutes at the Maracana in Rio, they traveled to face Argentine side Estudiantes. Estudiantes were buoyed by a late first-leg goal, and just before halftime in the second leg, Gaston Benedetti volleyed to give the home side a 1-0 lead. The match finished 2-2 on aggregate despite Flamengo controlling possession. Penalty kicks went 4-2 in favor of Flamengo, with former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho and Colombian Jorge Carrascal converting their attempts. Flamengo’s Argentine goalkeeper Agustin Rossi was again amazing in a penalty shootout.
Flamengo will face Argentine side Racing Club, defending Sudamericana champions, in the semifinals. Racing Club defeated Velez Sarsfield 2-0 on aggregate. Goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses kept consecutive clean sheets, with Adrian Martinez and Santiago Solari scoring. Former West Ham and River Plate player Manuel Lanzini for Sarsfield was denied a goal as Cambeses blocked it just before it crossed the line, though there wasn’t much debate that Racing Club were the better team over two legs.
Independiente del Valle Overturns First-Leg Deficit to Reach Sudamericana Semifinals
Home-field advantage proved irrelevant in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal between Independiente del Valle and Once Caldas. Caldas defended a 2-0 lead, but two goals from U.S.-born Michael Hoyos overturned the deficit for IDV. Once Caldas failed to score, and a penalty shootout saw IDV prevail 5-4. IDV were favored going into the legs, as Caldas struggled for consistency in Colombia’s Liga Betplay Dimayor, while IDV had only lost twice in the Liga Ecuabet after 29 games. Only three substitutions were made, and legendary 40-year-old striker Dayro Moreno was rendered ineffective in what could be his final South American game.
Atletico Mineiro continued their recent South American success, winning 3-2 on aggregate against Bolivian side Bolivar, with Bernard scoring in extra time in Brazil. Mineiro, 16th in the Brazilian table and at risk of relegation, will face IDV in the semifinals. Both Ecuadorian sides remaining in continental competition dream of a championship.
Clash Between Fluminense and Lanus Marred by Police Violence
Leading 1-0 heading into the away leg, Argentinian side Lanus knew it wouldn’t be easy to advance over Fluminense. Lanus prevailed 2-1 on aggregate, but incidents at the Maracana stole headlines. Rio police were seen attacking Lanus supporters who had traveled to Brazil. Fluminense led 1-0 at halftime after Uruguayan Agustin Canobbio’s bicycle kick (1-1 on aggregate). The game was partially delayed, and in the 67th minute, 20-year-old Dylan Aquino tied it 1-1 on the night, giving Lanus an aggregate advantage.
That 2-1 lead was enough to advance. Fluminense were denied a late equalizer by the goalpost, exiting the tournament as 8th in the Brasileiro table, battling for relevance with 41-year-old captain Thiago Silva.
Universidad de Chile Chases Second Sudamericana Title
After drawing in Lima, Chile’s iconic Universidad de Chile hosted surprise team Allianz Lima in Santiago at a stadium without fans present. Goals from Lucas Assadi and Javier Altamirano secured a 2-1 victory after a scoreless first leg. Eryc Castillo scored for Lima to draw things back closer in the second half, but La U were stronger on the night. Universidad are chasing their second Sudamericana title while trailing domestic leaders Coquimbo Unido in the Chilean league. This may be the last time we see legendary Lima forward Hernan Barcos in this competition; the Argentinian is now 41 and has played all over the world.
Semifinal Matchups
2025 Copa Libertadores Semifinals
- LDU Quito vs Palmeiras
- Flamengo vs Racing Club
Palmeiras are overall favorites to reach the final, potentially facing another Brazilian side in a clasico as Flamengo are favored against Racing Club.
2025 Copa Sudamericana Semifinals
- Universidad de Chile vs Lanus
- Independiente del Valle vs Atletico Mineiro
The Sudamericana semifinals feature teams from different South American nations, with Argentina and Brazil both having hopes of double continental glory this season.
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images Copyright: xJuanxManuelxBaez
