Liga de Quito Hosts Palmeiras Needing a Comeback in the Copa Libertadores

One goal. That's all that stands between Liga de Quito and another spot among the final four of the Copa Libertadores. Nothing more, nothing less. This Wednesday, September 16, at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, the home side hosts Palmeiras needing to flip a series that was left wide open after the first leg.

The match will be broadcast on Disney+ across South America, kicking off at 7:00 PM (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile) and 5:00 PM (Ecuador, Colombia, Peru).

The recent history between these two clubs adds an extra layer of intrigue. In the first leg, played on September 9 at Allianz Parque, Palmeiras won 1-0, leaving the series with the slimmest of advantages heading into the return match. But anyone familiar with this rivalry knows things can flip in an instant at Casa Blanca. It was at that very stadium where Liga de Quito handed Verdão a historic thrashing just months ago. On October 23, 2025, in the first leg of last year's Libertadores semifinal, the home side won 3-0 and went on to reach the final. That precedent carries weight, and everyone in Quito knows it.

For this match, Liga de Quito will go with Gonzalo Valle in goal, with Ricardo Ade and Luis Segovia paired at center back. Jesus Pretell, Sebastian Gonzalez and Yerlin Quinonez will man the midfield, while up front the attacking trio will be Michael Estrada, Janner Corozo and Deyverson, three names who will need to be sharp if the team hopes to turn the tie around.

On the other side, Palmeiras arrives with a significant absence: Gustavo Gomez will be unavailable in defense, so Murilo Cerqueira and Bruno Fuchs will have to take charge at the back in front of Carlos Miguel. In midfield, Andreas Pereira, Marlon Fleitas and Jhon Arias will be tasked with controlling the tempo, while up top Verdao boasts pure class: Flaco Lopez and Vitor Roque are the goal-scoring threats for a team that dreams of lifting the Libertadores trophy once again.

How the teams arrive

On the domestic front, both clubs took different paths since the first leg. Liga de Quito, fielding a backup lineup with this clash already in mind, drew with Deportivo Cuenca in the Liga Ecuabet. Palmeiras, on the other hand, sent out its top lineup and beat Sao Paulo in the Brasileirao, a sign that Abel Ferreira wants no surprises and arrives with competitive rhythm for the challenge at altitude.

Quito's altitude is always a factor for any visiting Brazilian side, and Verdao knows it well. They need a good result to secure a spot among the tournament's final four without depending on anyone else. Liga de Quito, for its part, has the advantage of playing at home with hopes very much alive of repeating last season's feat.