Brazilian sports press criticizes "absurd" and "dull" final of the Copa Libertadores

The Brazilian sports press criticized the "absurd" and "dull" final between Palmeiras and Santos, which defined the 2021 champion of the Copa Libertadores, and ended with a 1-0 victory for Palmeiras at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

"A thrilling end to the match contrasted with a predictable decision in the Libertadores. Under the strong Rio sun, the dull game took shape with Breno Lopes' unexpected performance," commented the Folha de Sao Paulo.

For former footballer Tostao, a Brazilian idol in the seventies alongside Pelé and columnist for Folha, "Just like the Palmeiras-Santos (match) from Saturday, great finals are usually dull. They should be celebrated, poeticized, forever, not analyzed in tactical details."

The portal Globoesporte titled: "Absurd final, fair champion," and added that the "Final had a crowd during the pandemic, with an unlikely hero and a result that rewarded the best team in the Libertadores," referring respectively to the 2,500 guests, Breno Lopes' goal, and Palmeiras' campaign.

"Liberating year: Palmeiras crowns historic season with changes, new heroes, and another Libertadores. With not much money in their bank, Verdao was forced to spend less, making room for young players in Mauricio Galiotte's last year as President, and finds its way again with the arrival of Abel Ferreira," it said.

The experienced commentator Milton Neves, from the UOL Esporte portal and TV Bandeirantes, who publicly declares himself a Santos fan, wrote: "Injustice: Palmeiras snatches the Libertadores from Santos with a lot of luck and little talent!"

The sports newspaper Lance, on the other hand, reported: "Displaying their strength: The Libertadores that turned young players into adults at Palmeiras. To become champion, Palmeiras changed their philosophy. Less expenses and greater use of youth categories. It worked and the team became champion of the Copa Libertadores."

For the newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo, "The match lacked beauty, but it had excitement, strong contests, and a goal in the final minutes of the second half to make Verdao the owner of America after two decades," when they had last won the title in 1999 against Colombian side Deportivo Cali.

In Rio de Janeiro, the newspaper O Globo highlighted: "Palmeiras finds its obsession again: After more than twenty years of waiting, the club defeats Santos at the Maracanã and once again conquers the long-desired Copa Libertadores. Now the mission is Qatar," where they will compete in the Club World Cup in February, a title they have never won. (D)