Copa Libertadores 2026 Semifinals: Fluminense-Palmeiras and Estudiantes-Flamengo
Update, October 24, 2026: the semifinals have been played (Palmeiras beat Fluminense on penalties and Estudiantes de La Plata beat Flamengo on penalties) and the final is Estudiantes vs Palmeiras on November 28 at the Centenario. This article was written before those matches. After quarterfinals that saw both Brazilian giants survive scares from underdogs, the 2026 Copa Libertadores semifinals are set: Fluminense face Palmeiras in an all-Brazilian tie, while Estudiantes de La Plata host defending champions Flamengo. First legs kick off October 14-15, with the final scheduled for November 28 in Montevideo.
Fluminense vs Palmeiras: A Rematch of Contrasting Recent Finals
Fluminense enter as the 2023 champions, the club's first-ever continental title after a 121-year wait, won by beating Boca Juniors 2-1 at their own Maracanã. They needed extra time and a comeback against Platense in the quarterfinals to get here.
Palmeiras arrive with more recent continental pedigree — 3 titles, including back-to-back final appearances in 2020 and 2021 (winning both), plus a spot in the 2025 final that they lost to Flamengo. They squeezed past LDU de Quito on penalties in the quarterfinals after a 3-2 aggregate deficit forced extra time.
Estudiantes de La Plata vs Flamengo: History Against the Reigning Champion
Estudiantes carry the weight of history into this tie — 4 titles, including the sport's first-ever three-peat (1968-1970) under the combative Osvaldo Zubeldía, and a 2009 triumph over Cruzeiro after a 39-year wait. They beat Corinthians in the quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw in Argentina and a narrow win in Brazil.
Flamengo arrive as the freshly-minted four-time champions after beating Palmeiras in the 2025 final, and eliminated fellow group-stage-era rival Independiente del Valle in the quarterfinals in a tie that finished level on aggregate before Flamengo advanced.
What's at Stake
A Fluminense win would put them one step from reclaiming the title they won in 2023, since Flamengo lifted the most recent one in 2025. A Palmeiras win would set up a shot at a fourth title and revenge for their 2025 final loss to Flamengo. For Estudiantes, reaching the final would mean a shot at a fifth title and a first since 2009; for Flamengo, back-to-back titles would put them within one of matching Boca Juniors for second on the all-time list.
Whichever two clubs come through will meet in the final on November 28 at a neutral venue in Montevideo — the same city, fittingly, where Peñarol lifted the first-ever Copa Libertadores in 1960.
Key Dates
First legs: October 14 (Fluminense vs Palmeiras) and October 15 (Estudiantes vs Flamengo). Second legs: October 21 (Palmeiras vs Fluminense) and October 22 (Flamengo vs Estudiantes). Final: November 28, Montevideo.