High in Quito, where Copa Libertadores ties can turn with every late surge, Palmeiras came through a quarter-final that appeared won, then lost, before being recovered from the penalty spot. The Brazilian visitors were beaten 3-2 by Liga de Quito on Wednesday but prevailed 4-3 in the shootout, taking their place in the semi-finals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
Palmeiras withstand Quito’s final charge
Palmeiras had entered the final minutes of the second leg in command. Marlon Freitas opened the scoring after 10 minutes, although Luis Segovia brought the Ecuadorian side level five minutes later. Vitor Roque then restored Palmeiras’ advantage from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute, leaving the visitors 2-1 ahead on the night and 3-1 clear across the tie.
Liga de Quito, Libertadores champions in 2008, found an extraordinary response at the end. Michael Estrada scored in the 90th minute and struck again three minutes later, turning a seemingly settled contest into a 3-3 aggregate deadlock and sending the tie to penalties.
Carlos Miguel became Palmeiras’ decisive figure in the shootout. He stopped attempts from Lucas Rodríguez and Segovia, with Segovia’s miss ending Liga’s hopes. Vitor Roque, Mauricio, Joaquín Piquerez and Felipe Anderson all converted for Palmeiras. Lucas Evangelista was the only Brazilian player to fail, his effort being saved by Liga goalkeeper Gonzalo Valle.
For the home side, Deyverson, Estrada and Fernando Cornejo scored from the spot, but the two missed kicks proved too much to overcome.
A sixth semi-final in seven years
The result sends Palmeiras into the Libertadores last four for the sixth time in seven seasons, underlining a period in which the club has become one of the competition’s most regular late-stage visitors. The three-time champions lifted the trophy in 2020 and 2021 and were finalists in the previous edition.
The semi-finals are scheduled for 13 to 21 October, with Montevideo set to host the final on 28 November. Palmeiras leave the altitude of Quito with their continental campaign still alive, after surviving one of the tournament’s sharpest late reversals.
SEO Title: Palmeiras beat Liga de Quito on penalties to reach Copa Libertadores semi-finals
SEO Description: Palmeiras overcame Liga de Quito 4-3 on penalties after a 3-2 defeat in Quito and a 3-3 aggregate draw, securing a sixth Copa Libertadores semi-final in seven years.
