Bia Zaneratto scores twice in Palmeiras' 3-1 comeback and Belgrano must beat Universitario to stay alive

Belgrano took the lead, dreamed for a while and ended up losing 3-1 to Palmeiras in Quito on matchday 2 of Group B at the 2026 Copa Libertadores Femenina. Alaides Paz scored again, as she did on the opening day, but a Bia Zaneratto brace and a Brena Carolina long-range strike turned the game around. The Piratas are left with one point and will play for a quarter-final place on Wednesday against Universitario of Peru.

Paz again, then Palmeiras took over

Mariana Sánchez's side struck first at the Estadio Banco Guayaquil. In the 13th minute, Alaides Paz ran onto a long ball on the counter, outpaced Pati Maldaner and finished low for 1-0. It was her second goal in two games at the tournament: she had also opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw with Independiente del Valle in the opener.

The lead did not last long. In the 26th minute, Brena Carolina backheeled the ball to Bia Zaneratto, who equalised past goalkeeper Agustina Sánchez. Ten minutes later, Brena herself unleashed a shot from outside the box that flew into the top corner for 2-1, the score at half-time.

Early in the second half, Agustina Sánchez kept out a Zaneratto header, but in the 52nd minute she could do nothing about the third: Tainá Maranhão got to the byline on the right and the Brazilian forward tapped in for 3-1. Late on, Betina Soriano had two shots saved by goalkeeper Natascha.

How Group B stands

• Palmeiras, coached by Rosana Augusto, have 6 points after beating Universitario 1-0 and Belgrano 3-1, and are already through to the quarter-finals with a game to spare.
• Belgrano have 1 point (a 1-1 draw with Independiente del Valle and the 3-1 defeat to Palmeiras).
• Independiente del Valle (1 point) and Universitario (0) close the matchday on Sunday at 9 pm Argentina time.

What comes next for the Piratas

The top two in each group advance to the quarter-finals, to be played on 24 and 25 October. Belgrano, the only Argentine club in this edition, face Universitario on Wednesday 21 October at 9 pm Argentina time in the final round of group games. They need to win and will also depend on the other game in the group, Palmeiras v Independiente del Valle, played on the same day at the same time.

Sources: Infobae, Gazeta Esportiva, Hoy Día Córdoba, Telefe Córdoba, Palmeiras (official website).