“Jhon Arias put Junior FC ahead with just six minutes played, giving the Colombian side a shock early lead in Palmeiras' own backyard.”
“Allan restored Palmeiras' lead with a left-footed finish to make it 2-1, arriving at just the right moment after Muriel had briefly levelled proceedings — this goal broke Junior's spirit and began an unstoppable home surge.”
Pivotal“Jhon Arias added a second — this time for Palmeiras — capitalising on Junior's defensive disarray to make it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time and effectively seal the tie before the break.”
Pivotal“Andreas Pereira put the result beyond all doubt with a fourth goal just minutes into the second half, converting after Junior had been denied by VAR and the tie was firmly in Palmeiras' grasp.”
Palmeiras
Junior FC
Outstanding performance
Palmeiras•MidfielderPalmeiras produced a devastating stretch of football between the 40th and 51st minutes to turn a tense Copa Libertadores contest into a comfortable home victory, ultimately running out 4-1 winners against Junior FC. The match had started promisingly for the visitors, with Jhon Arias giving Junior the lead with just six minutes on the clock, and Luis Muriel's equaliser on 36 minutes suggested a genuine contest was brewing. However, Allan's left-footed finish on 40 minutes began a catastrophic spell for Junior, with Arias ironically scoring against his own side's momentum by netting a third for Palmeiras on the stroke of half-time, before Andreas Pereira put the tie to bed on 51 minutes — moments after VAR cancelled a Junior penalty that could have made it 2-2. The statistics underline how clinical Palmeiras were despite a relatively even contest on paper: Junior edged possession at 51% and matched Palmeiras' 17 shots, but the Brazilians converted six big chances to Junior's one, with eight shots on target to the visitors' solitary effort. Junior's indiscipline — 12 fouls to Palmeiras' four — and their inability to convert pressure into genuine threat ultimately cost them dearly in a tie that shifted irrevocably in the span of one frenzied eleven-minute period.
How entertaining was this match?
Fabian Angel takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Bryan Castrillon takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Luis Fernando Muriel Fruto takes a shot with his right foot, but it is blocked.
Paulo Henrique Sampaio Filho, also known as Paulinho, takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Paulo Henrique Sampaio Filho, known as Paulinho, takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Felipe Anderson Pereira Gomes is substituted for Jhon Arias.
Emiliano Martinez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Joel Canchimbo takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Juan David RíosYellow CardYellow card issued to Juan David Rios Henao.
Lucas Evangelista comes on for Andreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira.
Paulo Henrique Sampaio Filho, known as Paulinho, is on, and Jose Manuel Lopez is off.
Emiliano MartínezVAR decision results in the cancellation of the penalty awarded to Emiliano Martinez.
Edwin Herrera's right-footed shot is blocked.
Daniel Rivera is on, and Monzon Lucas is off.
Mauricio Magalhaes Prado replaces Allan.
Luis Felipe is on, and Marlon Rodrigues de Freitas is off.
Edwin Herrera's right-footed shot is blocked.
Bryan Castrillon takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Bryan Castrillon takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jannenson Sarmiento takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Allan takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Bryan Castrillon replaces Jesus David Rivas Hernandez.
Jannenson Sarmiento is on, and Guillermo Paiva is off.
Juan David Rios Henao is on, and Yimmi Javier Chara Zamora is off.
Andreas PereiraAndreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira takes a shot with his left foot and scores.
Jose Manuel Lopez takes a right-footed shot, but it hits the post.
assist: Murilo
Goal! Andreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira scores, making it 4-1.
Jhon Arias takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Luis MurielVAR decision: Penalty cancelled for Luis Fernando Muriel Fruto.
Joel Canchimbo replaces Jean Carlos Pestana.
The first half ends with a score of 3-1.
Edwin Herrera takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Jhon AriasJhon Arias takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: José Manuel López
Goal! Jhon Arias scores, making it 3-1.
Emiliano Martinez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
AllanAllan scores with a left-footed shot.
Allan scores with a left-footed shot.
Jose Manuel Lopez takes a header, but it hits the post.
Jose Manuel Lopez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Luis MurielLuis Fernando Muriel Fruto takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Allan's left-footed shot is blocked.
Yellow card issued to Jean Carlos Pestana.
Guillermo Paiva takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jermein Pena takes a shot with his head but misses.
Yimmi Javier Chara Zamora receives a yellow card.
Guillermo Paiva takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Andreas Hugo Hoelgebaum Pereira takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jhon Arias takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Jhon AriasJhon Arias takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Jermein Pena takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jesus David Rivas Hernandez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Palmeiras host Junior FC in a Copa Libertadores Group F clash that could cement the Brazilian giants' path to the knockout rounds. Despite a notable injury list, Verdão hold a commanding head-to-head record and the home advantage at Allianz Parque — making this a must-watch for Libertadores fans.
