Watch the All-Brazil Copa Libertadores: Palmeiras vs Santos on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 3pm ET.
This is the South American club soccer championship. The clubs are very well matched. They tied their last Série A (Brazil’s 1st-tier soccer) meeting in December 2020. In all of 2020, the clubs tied two games and Palmieras won another.
Both teams are rivals who play in Série A, the Brasileirão, Brazil’s first-tier soccer league. The game is in the Maracanã, Brazil’s legendary soccer stadium. The tournament is rebranding as CONMEBOL Libertadores, but everyone still calls it Copa Libertadores.
When the Brazilians are happy and fired up, it is such a joy to watch their almost magical ball control. This pure joy is a characteristic of Brazilian soccer.
Where to Watch Copa Libertadores 2021
The situation on the ground in New York City is fluid because of COVID-19 and winter. Normally we would watch the game at Smithfield Hall, the Football Factory at Legends or Tír Na Nóg. Now its hard to say and things change day by day.
The game is screening on cable at beIN SPORTS or beIN SPORTS en Español.
Sociedade Esportiva Palmieras
Palmieras of Allianz Parque in Perdizes, São Paulo, is one of Brazil’s most popular and successful soccer clubs.
This season’s “Palestra Verdão” (Big Green) attack is led by forwards Luiz Adriano and Willian with support from top scoring midfielder Raphael Veiga.
Palmieras won the 2020 Campeonato Paulista (São Paulo state league) and the 2018 Seríe A championship.
Santos Futebol Clube
Santos of Vila Belmiro in Santos, São Paulo state is another of Brazil’s most popular and successful soccer clubs.
The Santos attack is led by forward Marinho #11. He really dominates the team’s scoring this season.
Santos was Pelé’s team. The “Peixe” (Fish) are famous for the Jogo Bonito (Beautiful Game) which is so Pelé. To play like that goes beyond talent and athleticism. To play like the gods, you have to open yourself to the Great Spirit. That’s appropriate given the club’s name, “Santos” (Saints).
Supporters will be singing the “Leão do Mar” (Sea Lion) song.
The club’s golden years were the Os Santásticos of 1956-1974. Those were roughly the years of Pelé. The team has been rebuilding since 2014, so a win would mark the club’s return to greatness.
Go Brazil!
We wear everyone’s shirts, so won’t pick sides. Go Brazil!