Hércules Forces Penalties, Carlos Miguel Stops Nonato: Palmeiras Survive Fluminense and Reach the Libertadores Final
Fluminense came within a penalty kick of a miracle. Needing to overturn a 2-1 first-leg defeat at Nubank Parque, they scored late through Hércules, forced a shootout — and then watched Palmeiras convert all five of their kicks. Carlos Miguel's save from Nonato made Palmeiras the first finalist of the 2026 Copa Libertadores.
The Tie: 2-1, Then 1-0
Palmeiras had won the first leg 2-1 at the Maracanã. In the second leg on October 21, Fluminense needed a win — and got it, but only barely: Hércules scored around the 81st minute with a tight, low shot that clipped the post after a collective move, making it 1-0 on the night and 2-2 on aggregate.
The Shootout: Five for Five
Palmeiras scored every kick: Maurício, Gustavo Gómez, Ramón Sosa, Joaquín Piquerez and Marlon Freitas. Fluminense scored through Thiago Silva, Hércules and Guilherme Arana, but Carlos Miguel saved Nonato's penalty — and with Palmeiras leading 5-3, Fluminense never got to take a fifth. “I can only thank my teammates,” the goalkeeper said afterwards.
Thiago Silva Scores, Days After the Scandal
The shootout had a side story: Thiago Silva, who days earlier was named in a Brazilian investigation into fake Argentine coaching licenses, calmly converted his penalty. It was not enough, but it was the kind of moment the week's headlines had set up.
Two Uruguayans on Opposite Sides
Uruguayan outlets framed the series through their own players: Joaquín Piquerez started for Palmeiras and Agustín Canobbio played for Fluminense. One of them will return to Montevideo in November for the final; the other goes home.
For Palmeiras it is a push for a fourth continental title after 1999, 2020 and 2021. Fluminense, whose only Libertadores is the 2023 win over Boca Juniors, fall one goal and a penalty short of a second. Palmeiras have now reached the semifinals six times in seven years.
Final: Palmeiras vs Estudiantes
The final is on Saturday, November 28 at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. Palmeiras' opponent is Estudiantes de La Plata, who beat Flamengo on penalties a day later.