The opening round of the 2025 Copa Libertadores concluded with a strong showing from Brazilian giants Flamengo and Palmeiras.

Flamengo, considered among the tournament favourites, secured a narrow but vital 1-0 away win over Venezuelan champions Deportivo Táchira. The hosts had gone unbeaten since February 15, but a key substitution in the second half changed everything. Just two minutes after coming off the bench, Juninho found the back of the net with what proved to be the match-winner.

Palmeiras faced a far more dramatic challenge in their clash with Sporting Cristal in Peru. In a high-octane thriller, the sides combined for five goals in total. The decisive moment came deep into added time, when Ríos struck in the 92nd minute to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory for the Brazilian champions.

2025, Copa Libertadores

Day : 2025-04-04

"Central" - "LDU" 0:0

"Deportivo Táchira" - "Flamengo" 0:1 (0:0)
Goals : Juninho dos Santos, 57 (0:1)
Yellow Cards : - Pereira Léo 63

"Bahia" - "Internacional" 1:1 (0:0)
Goals : Jean Lucas, 73 (1:0); Valencia En., 84 (1:1)
Yellow Cards : Jean Lucas 36 - Bruno Henrique 39; Aguirre B. 48; Reges F. 57

"Sporting Cristal" - "Palmeiras" 2:3 (0:1)
Goals : Estêvão, 38 (0:1); Pretell, 67 (1:1); Piquerez, 82 (penalty) (1:2); Távara, 83 (2:2); Ríos, 92 (2:3)
Yellow Cards : - Vitor Roque 45; Martínez Em. 57; Fuchs B. 61