On paper, this looks like a mismatch. Sporting Cristal, Peru’s second-best side last season, are clear underdogs against Palmeiras — the 2024 runners-up in Brazil’s Serie A and one of the favourites to win Group G.
Sporting Cristal’s last Copa Libertadores campaign ended early, crashing out in the second qualifying round against Bolivian side Always Ready. Domestically, they showed significant improvement — finishing second in the league to avoid another qualification gauntlet. However, their start to the 2025 Apertura has been patchy, with 8 points dropped from their opening 18. Sporting Cristal currently sit sixth in Liga 1.
Palmeiras, on the other hand, were knocked out of last season’s Libertadores by eventual champions Botafogo in the Round of 16 (3:4 on aggregate). They are still finding their rhythm this year. Their last three matches produced no wins: a tight two-legged Paulista final against Corinthians (0:1, 0:0), and a goalless draw away to Botafogo to open the new league season. Still, those were high-stakes, high-quality affairs — nothing like what they’ll face in Lima.
Given how few goals Palmeiras have conceded in those recent outings — just one across three games against elite opposition — it's difficult to imagine Sporting Cristal finding a way through. The Brazilians might not win in flamboyant fashion, but they should get the job done with typical control and defensive assurance.
