Palmeiras edge LDU Quito on penalties to reach semis
Abel Ferreira's side blew a two-goal aggregate lead as Michael Estrada struck twice late, but Carlos Miguel's saves sent Palmeiras past LDU Quito on penalties.
Palmeiras needed penalties to see off LDU Quito on Wednesday and reach the semi-finals of the Libertadores, surviving a collapse that turned a comfortable aggregate lead into a shoot-out in Quito.
Abel Ferreira's side had won the first leg 1-0 at home and looked to have the tie settled when Vitor Roque, the 21-year-old forward who has scored 12 goals since joining Palmeiras in April 2025, converted a penalty in the 73rd minute to make it 2-1 on the night. Marlon Freitas, signed from February 2026 and already on two goals for the club, had put Palmeiras ahead inside 10 minutes, before Luis Segovia levelled for the hosts on 15 minutes.
Two goals up on aggregate and cruising, Palmeiras then fell apart. Michael Estrada pulled LDU level in the 90th minute and struck again in stoppage time, at 90+3, to complete the turnaround and send the tie to penalties.
Carlos Miguel settled it there. The 27-year-old goalkeeper, at Palmeiras since March 2026, saved from Lucas Rodríguez and then from Segovia on the tenth and decisive kick, as Palmeiras won the shoot-out 4-3. Estrada scored his own penalty, but it did not matter.
Palmeiras, champions in 2020 and 2021 under Ferreira, will face fellow Brazilians Fluminense in the semi-finals on 13 and 20 October. Fluminense eliminated Argentina's Platense, winning 2-0 at home before losing 2-1 in Buenos Aires.
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