Palmeiras Blast Five Past Independiente Petrolero to Confirm Copa Libertadores Progression

Palmeiras have kept their hopes of a historic Copa Libertadores hat-trick alive after securing their progression through to the last 16 courtesy of a 5-0 win over Independiente Petrolero.

Abel Ferreira’s side cruised into a 17th minute lead in Bolivia courtesy of a Raphael Veiga penalty, and the midfielder doubled his tally – and his team’s lead – with a cool finish five minutes later.

Indiscipline on the part of Independiente saw their player Cristiano Jr sent off in first half injury time, and Palmeiras made their numerical advantage count with further goals from Murilo Cerqueira, Rafael Navarro and Veiga, who completed his hat-trick in fine style.

It means that the Verdão have won four out of four in Group A to book their route through to the last 16, and they remain on course to become the first team to win three consecutive Copa Libertadores titles since the Argentine Independiente achieved the feat in the 1970s.