Two-time Libertadores champion among men, Cruzeiro reaches the women's version of the continent's biggest tournament for the first time. The debut will be this Friday (16), at 9pm (Brasília time), against LDU, the home team - the competition takes place in Quito, the Ecuadorian capital.
The Casa Blanca Stadium, the venue for the match, is exactly where the Cabulosas' opponents play. Bolívar (Bolivia) and Olimpia (Paraguay) are also part of Group C.
Classified in the Libertadores as runner-up in last year's Brazilian Championship, Raposa arrives at the tournament with several absences due to injuries. This is the case of defenders Tainara and Paloma Maciel, midfielder Gaby Soares and attackers Ravenna and Millene, regularly used by coach Jonas Urias, who are recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the knee.
The last casualty was goalkeeper Cláudia, who injured her right thigh. To replace her, the celestial team went after Taluane, from América-MG, and managed to include her in the definitive list that was sent to the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol). The first option for the position should be Camila Rodrigues, who started the season as a starter.
On the other hand, striker Letícia Ferreira was available again after recovering from surgery on her right shoulder that sidelined her for two months. In 2025, the player was Cruzeiro's top scorer in the season, with 27 goals.
Cruzeiro is the 15th Brazilian club to participate in the Women's Libertadores in 18 editions. Five teams from the country have already won the competition, with emphasis on Corinthians, current three-time champion and owner of six titles - one of them in partnership with Audax. São José (three), Santos, Ferroviária (both two) and Palmeiras (one) also lifted the main trophy on the continent.
Football from São Paulo has the most representatives: eight (Corinthians, Audax, São José, Santos, Ferroviária, Palmeiras, Centro Olímpico and São Paulo). Cruzeiro is the first from Minas Gerais to participate.
Six more states have already had teams in the competition: Amazonas (Iranduba), Paraná (Foz Cataratas), Pernambuco (Vitória das Tabocas), Rio de Janeiro (CEPE/Duque de Caxias), Rio Grande do Sul (Internacional) and Santa Catarina (Avaí/Kindermann). Among them, Foz (2012) and Iranduba (2018) even came close to the title, but finished second to Colo-Colo (Chile) and Atlético Huila (Colombia), respectively.
Palestrinas start with victory
Champion in 2022, Palmeiras debuted last Thursday night (15) in this year's edition of the Libertadores. The Palestrinas began their search for a second title with a narrow victory over Universitario (Peru), 1-0, at the Banco Guayaquil Stadium.
Leader of Group B with three points, Verdão returns to the field on Sunday (18), at 5 pm, to face Belgrano (Argentina), again at Banco Guayaquil. Earlier on Thursday, the Argentines drew 1-1 with another host, Dragonas, a women's team from Independiente del Valle. Both add one point.
Coach Rosana Augusto preserved the Palmeiras players who were with the Brazilian team in the games against Argentina. Full-back Raíssa Bahia and attackers Bia Zaneratto and Taina Maranhão started the confrontation on the bench. The Palestrinas are already without goalkeeper Kate Tapia - absent due to "disciplinary issues" - and full-back Ana Guzmán, who tore the ACL in her right knee for Colombia in a friendly last Tuesday (13).
Verdão had no difficulty controlling the game, but wasted opportunities to build a solid advantage. Even so, it didn't take long for Brena to take the lead after 15 minutes.
The midfielder was thrown to the left by midfielder Andressinha and, at first, left Emily Assis in front of the goal. The side hit goalkeeper Mia Shalit, who made a good save, but the remainder fell precisely to Brena, who sent it into the net.
The Palestrinas could have expanded at 24. Striker Gláucia opened on the left with Brena. Offside, she crossed for midfielder Diany to complete the ball into the goal. After video arbitration review, the bid was annulled.
The pace of the game dropped significantly from the final stretch of the first half due to Quito's 2,850 meter altitude. Full-back Milagros Rolón, from Universitario, became ill due to lack of air and needed to be treated with oxygen cylinders, having to be replaced after 39 minutes.
Just like in the initial stage, the second half was full of missed chances for the Brazilian team, most of them thanks to saves from Shalit. In the 23rd minute, defender Pati Maldaner took a penalty against the same left post that, in extra time, saved the Peruvians with a shot from outside the area by midfielder Duda Santos.
