Cruzeiro beats Olimpia to reach the Women’s Libertadores Final

Cruzeiro’s Historic Debut Ends Olimpia’s Run

Cruzeiro is bound for the Copa Libertadores Femenina final. In a gritty 1–0 victory over Olimpia at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado on October 28, 2026, the Brazilian side secured its championship berth in its very first continental appearance.

The win, confirmed in Quito, Ecuador, guarantees an all-Brazilian final—a feat unseen since 2023, when Corinthians bested Palmeiras in Colombia. For Cruzeiro’s manager, the result is validation for a squad that has consistently outpaced the expectations set for tournament newcomers.

Marília Strikes as Tactics Tighten

The deadlock broke five minutes into the second half. Byanca Brasil launched a free kick from midfield that rattled the crossbar, and Marília was positioned perfectly to hammer home the rebound. It was the only crack the Brazilian attack needed.

The game’s tactical complexion changed in the 78th minute. Olimpia’s Villalba was issued a second yellow card for a foul on Gisseli, forcing the Paraguayans to finish with ten players. Even shorthanded, Olimpia nearly stole an equalizer in stoppage time. In the 94th minute, Casco met a corner at the back post, only to be denied by a goal-line save from Cruzeiro goalkeeper Camila Rodrigues.

The Weight of the Prize Pool

Beyond the trophy, the financial implications are significant. Simply reaching the final guarantees both clubs a minimum of US$ 600,000. For the winner, the purse swells to US$ 2 million, while the third-place finisher walks away with US$ 250,000. Every club that entered the tournament received a base fee of US$ 50,000.

A Final Showdown Against Corinthians

Cruzeiro now prepares for a high-stakes clash against Corinthians on Saturday, October 31, at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado. While the venue is locked, the official kickoff time remains unconfirmed. Earlier that same day, Olimpia and Independiente Santa Fe will meet to contest the third-place match.

Questions remain regarding the specifics of the final day, particularly the schedule. While the teams have history—having faced off earlier in the 2026 Brazilian championship—their path to this specific continental final follows vastly different trajectories. Cruzeiro arrived here with a flawless record, having swept their group and dismantled Libertad 3–0 in the quarterfinals, while Olimpia’s road was defined by a narrow, stoppage-time victory over Deportivo Cali in the previous round.