Sports
Flamengo lift Copa Libertadores, but Brazil’s players look exhausted
Brazil’s unprecedented domination of the Copa Libertadores — no country has ever come close to winning seven titles in a row — has come about despite the mammoth amount of minutes the nation’s top players have to play.
Flamengo and Palmeiras have broken away from the pack. The two giants have now claimed the last five continental titles between them, and, in the next few days, Flamengo look likely to wrap up the Brazilian Serie A title too — prolonging the celebrations after winning the Saturday’s Libertadores final 1-0. Palmeiras, for their part, will run a close second in a championship that has been won by either the Mengão or the Verdão in seven of the last 10 seasons.
The price the two clubs pay for such success is an accumulation of matches and a burden on the players that borders on inhumane.
Representing a number of different national teams, the majority of Flamengo and Palmeiras players were in action during the recent FIFA international window. On the Tuesday, then, many were playing in Europe, Mexico or the United States. The next day, they were back on the field in crunch domestic games. With Flamengo and Palmeiras going toe-to-toe for the domestic title, there was no chance for anyone to take their foot off the pedal.
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This clearly took some of the shine away from Saturday’s Copa Libertadores decider in Lima, when an eagerly awaited “final of the century” turned into an attritional battle. The Libertadores final was a very different match from the bright, open and attractive encounter they fought out in the league in the middle of last month.
Flamengo won that one 3-2 — and there were many more goals in the Maracana that day than efforts on target in Lima. It needs a somewhat charitable approach to statistics to find the two attempts on target that the official statistics awarded to Flamengo. Most will only recall one — the flying header from Danilo, meeting Giorgian de Arrascaeta‘s corner, that flew inside the far corner and won the game. And even Danilo was only playing because first choice fullback Leo Ortiz broke down under the sequence of matches and was not fit to start.
The news coming out of the Palmeiras camp going into the game was that the squad was close to physical and mental breakdown. This clearly had an effect on the thinking of Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira. Often tempted to take a cautious approach to big matches, this time he appeared to have settled for a “while it’s 0-0 we’re doing fine” strategy. He trusted in the capacity of his team to hold the Flamengo attack, and believed that as the game wore on, space would open up, and his team could snatch a goal.
But for one moment of slack marking at a corner — Allan lost Danilo, and Bruno Fuchs did not do enough to fill the space — it might have worked. Palmeiras might also point to the incident towards the end of the first half when Flamengo midfielder Erick Pulgar seemed very lucky to avoid a red card for a rash kick on Fuchs. Then again, all soccer games could have taken an alternative course. In the one that mattered, the one that was played in Lima, there can be little doubt that Flamengo were the better side and deserved their win.
The absence of centre forward Pedro, injured, and of his likely replacement Gonzalo Plata, suspended, clearly depleted Flamengo’s attacking resources — and presumably gave the Palmeiras coach more confidence in a defensive strategy. It was little wonder, then, that the only goal came from a defender. Danilo is a figure of great experience and intelligence; one of the main reasons Carlo Ancelotti retains him in the Brazil squad is because he says Danilo is capable of playing anywhere across the back four.
Flamengo coach Filipe Luis probably sees something of himself in Danilo. Two years ago, he stopped playing for Flamengo at left back and started coaching the youth team, stepping up to the seniors after elimination from the 2024 Libertadores. He has made an excellent start to a highly promising career. The manner of this Libertadores conquest was a little strange; his Flamengo are typically a free flowing, free scoring side. In the Brazilian league they have outscored Palmeiras 74 to 60.
But in the continental competition, however, it has been a different story. Palmeiras chalked up a grand total of 30 goals. Flamengo could only manage 13. They flirted with elimination in the group phase, needed a penalty shootout to get through the quarterfinals, and made it through to the big decider after a backs-to-the-wall operation in the second leg of the semis. There was perhaps only one truly outstanding display in the entire campaign — a majestic 2-0 triumph away to compatriots Internacional in the first knockout round. Even so, they fought their way through to a historic fourth Libertadores title — becoming the first Brazilian team to reach that mark.
And the season is still not done. On Wednesday Flamengo will hope to wrap up the Brazilian title in front of their own fans in Rio’s Maracana stadium. Failing that, there is another opportunity on Sunday — followed by a trip to Qatar for the Intercontinental Cup where Cruz Azul of Mexico are waiting. Get through that one and they face Pyramids of Egypt. Win that one and the year at last comes to a close with a game against Paris Saint-Germain — and a brief period of holidays before the next Brazilian league kicks off at the end of January.
It never stops. And it is hard not to think that the quality of the spectacle might be better with the occasional pause for a well-deserved rest.
Star batsman Virat Kohli slammed a record-extending 52nd one-day international century, scoring 135 off 120 balls to lead India to a thrilling 17-run victory over a determined South Africa in the first ODI on Sunday at Ranchi.
Kohli shared a second-wicket partnership of 136 runs with fellow stalwart Rohit Sharma, setting India on course for a competitive 349-8.
South Africa’s number eight, Corbin Bosch, made a valiant 67 off 51 balls, keeping his team in contention until the final moments. Entering the 50th over, the visitors needed 18 runs with one wicket left, but Bosch fell on the second ball, leaving South Africa all out for 332.
Earlier, Matthew Breetzke (72) and Marco Jansen (70) had forged a fighting 97-run stand for the sixth wicket, reviving the chase after South Africa slipped to 11-3 and 77-4.
Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler for India, taking 4-68, including a crucial double strike to dismiss Jansen and Breetzke in just three balls—a turning point in the match that helped India secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Kohli, now 37, raised his 83rd international century across all three formats with a boundary off Jansen, celebrating with the raucous home crowd.
“If you’ve played over 300 games and so much cricket, you know your reflexes and physical ability are there to bat long,” said Kohli, the player of the match.
“As long as you’re hitting the ball well and playing good cricket, it’s about being physically fit, mentally ready, and excited.”
Kohli mania
An enthusiastic Indian fan breached security and ran onto the field to touch Virat Kohli’s feet before being restrained.
Kohli now holds the record for the most ODI hundreds, with Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar second with 49.
In a single format, he also leads the list, while Tendulkar’s 51 hundreds came in Tests.
Kohli and 38-year-old Rohit Sharma, who scored 57, now only play ODIs after retiring from T20s and Tests.
Their presence strengthened India, led by KL Rahul in the absence of the injured Shubman Gill, following a 2-0 Test series whitewash against South Africa.
Rohit lost fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early for 18, but Kohli walked in to a roar from a 38,000-strong crowd.
The pair steadied the innings before Rohit was trapped lbw by Marco Jansen.
Rohit hit three sixes in his 51-ball knock, taking his total to 352 sixes in ODIs, surpassing Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi (351).
Kohli accelerated after reaching his first century since February, hitting off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen for two fours and two sixes in the 39th over, scoring 21 runs. He eventually fell to Nandre Burger, caught by Ryan Rickelton, after hitting 11 fours and seven sixes.
KL Rahul contributed 60 off 56 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja added 32 off 20.
Corbin Bosch recorded his first ODI half-century, keeping South Africa in the contest, making the series opener an exciting match ahead of the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday.
“Great to sit in the change room and watch the guys do their thing,” said stand-in skipper Aiden Markram. “Never losing the belief that we can pull off a rabbit from the hat.”
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The Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders’ matchup on Sunday featured several great plays, but the most impactful came in overtime.
It didn’t take long for the Broncos to score. Bo Nix made four completions, including a 41-yard pass to Evan Engram, and then handed the ball off to running back RJ Harvey, who scored from five yards out to take a 27-20 lead.
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Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota created some late-game heroics. He found Deebo Samuel on 3rd-and-14 for a 38-yard gain. He connected with Terry McLaurin to bring the game to within one point. With nothing to lose, the Commanders decided to go for two and the win. Mariota dropped back to pass and his attempt to Jeremy McNichols was blocked by Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto.
The Broncos won the game, 27-26.
Nix finished 29-of-45 for 321 yards and a touchdown pass. Harvey had 35 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Harvey and Bonito’s overtime heroics were just two of a handful of great plays made during the game.
Nix did his best to pull out all the stops. He helped put Denver ahead before halftime when he threw a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton as he was falling to the ground. He avoided the rush and his calf was about to hit the ground before he fired the ball to Sutton in the end zone.
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton (49) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) in the fourth quarter of the game at Northwest Stadium on Nov. 30, 2025. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
BRONCOS’ BO NIX THROWS TD PASS WHILE FALLING TO GROUND IN STUNNING PLAY
Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks likely said, “Watch this,” before he made his sensation play. Burks received a pass from Mariota in the end zone. He, somehow, made a one-handed catch for a crucial go-ahead touchdown.
It was Burks’ second career touchdown catch and it was one that the Commanders really needed.
Mariota was trying to keep the drive alive with under four minutes to go in the game. He found tight end Zach Ertz open in the middle of the field. The ball was thrown high and Ertz was able to grab the pass and bring it down.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (36) celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass from quarterback Bo Nix, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
But just as he was going to secure the catch, Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton knocked the ball loose and the pass was incomplete. Washington punted the ball away.
Singleton was playing in his first game since he underwent testicular cancer surgery three weeks ago. It was a big play, but it came just a few minutes too early as Mariota would lead the Commanders down the field to tie the game.
Mariota played as well as one could play in a hard-fought game. He was 28-of-50 with 294 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He also had 55 yards on the ground.
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Ertz finished with 10 catches for 106 yards. McLaurin had seven catches for 96 yards.
Denver improved to 10-2 with the win and have won nine straight games. Washington fell to 3-9.
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Undefeated Nebraska earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament bracket released Sunday.
The five-time national champion Huskers (30-0) have dominated this season, dropping just seven sets. They lead Division I in hitting percentage at .352.
Dani Busboom Kelly, who won NCAA titles as both a Nebraska player and assistant, took over at her alma mater this season after longtime Huskers coach John Cook retired. Busboom Kelly led Louisville to the NCAA final in 2024, where the Cardinals lost to Penn State.
The other No. 1 seeds are Kentucky, Texas and Pitt. The Wildcats have won one NCAA title, and the Longhorns have four. The Panthers reached the final four the past four seasons but lost in the semifinals each time.
Pitt and Stanford finished tied atop the ACC at 18-2, and the Cardinal won their head-to-head matchup 3-2 at Stanford on Nov. 14. But the Panthers’ overall body of work secured them the last No. 1 seed, while nine-time NCAA champion Stanford is the No. 2 seed in Texas’ region.
SEC regular-season and tournament champion Kentucky defeated Texas 3-2 in the conference tournament final. They would face each other in the national semifinals should they advance that far.
Defending national champion Penn State, the only school that has appeared in every NCAA tournament dating back to the event’s start in 1981, is a No. 8 seed in Texas’ quarter of the bracket. St. Thomas (Minnesota) and Toledo are both making their first appearance in the tournament.
The Big 12 led all leagues with 10 teams in the field, the Big Ten has nine, the ACC seven and the SEC five.
Early-round matches will be held from Dec. 4 to 6 on campus sites. The regionals, scheduled for Dec. 11-14, will be hosted by the four highest seeds still standing in each quarter of the bracket.
The final four is at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, for the third time in the tournament’s history. It was there that Penn State won the championship in 2010 and Nebraska won its most recent title in 2017.
The national semifinals are Dec. 18 (ESPN), and the championship match is Dec. 21 (ABC).
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