This Thursday (10/30), the Palm trees revived the spirit that became a trademark of the Abel Ferreira Era – that of “turnaround team”as the fans sing in the stands of Allianz Parque. And the date could not be more symbolic: exactly five years ago, the club announced the Portuguese coach, who would lead Alviverde to three Libertadores finals.
At Verdão, Abel collects historic comebacks in finals and decisive games, transforming disadvantages into remarkable triumphs. In this article, we list the Palmeiras’ biggest comebacks under the command of Abel Ferreiraremembering knockout duels and also in straight points.
Palmeiras 1 x 3 São Paulo / 4 x 0 São Paulo (Final of Paulistão 2022) – April 3 and 9, 2022
The first game at Morumbi seemed to give Tricolor the title: a 3-1 victory, with two goals from Calleri and one from Pablo Maia. But the story would change completely at Allianz Parque.
On the way back, Palmeiras returned with interest: 4-0, goals from Danilo, Zé Rafael and two from Raphael Veiga. The stadium pulsed with one of the most intense atmospheres ever seen in football in São Paulo. Veiga, hero of the title, led one of the most remarkable comebacks of the Abel era – which resulted in the 24th Campeonato Paulista in the club’s history.
Água Santa 2 x 1 Palmeiras / Palmeiras 4 x 0 Água Santa (Final of Paulistão 2023) – April 2 and 9, 2023
Água Santa surprised by winning the first game of the final 2-1, with two goals from Bruno Mezenga. However, Allianz Parque experienced another historic turning point days later.
With goals from Gabriel Menino (2x), Endrick and Flaco López, Verdão won 4-0 and lifted the state trophy for the second time in a row. The superiority was such that the opponent barely managed to finish on goal.
Botafogo 3 x 4 Palmeiras (Brasileirão 2023) – November 1, 2023
At the Nilton Santos Stadium, Botafogo, the isolated leader of the championship and with a six-point lead, opened 3-0 in the first half, in a dominant performance. But the second half turned into something epic for Alviverde. Endrick, just 17 years old, scored two goals and started the reaction. Flaco López equalized in the 44th minute and Murilo, in the last stoppage time, scored the historic 4-3 goal.
The victory not only kept Palmeiras alive in the fight for the title, it also became one of the biggest Brazilian Championship games of all time. Weeks later, that result would be remembered as the turning point towards the 2023 Brazilian title.
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Santos 1 x 0 Palmeiras / Palmeiras 2 x 0 Santos (Final of Paulistão 2024) – March 31 and April 7, 2024
In the first game, Santos won 1-0 at Vila Belmiro, with a goal from Otero, ending an unbeaten record for Alviverde that had already lasted 20 matches. But the story changed completely on the way back: 2-0 at Allianz Parque, with goals from Raphael Veiga (penalty) and Aníbal Moreno.
With the result, Palmeiras won their third consecutive São Paulo championship – and Abel Ferreira equaled Oswaldo Brandão as the most successful coach in the club’s history.
São Paulo 2 x 3 Palmeiras (Brasileirão 2025) – October 5, 2025
São Paulo opened 2-0 in the first half, at Morumbis, with goals from Luciano and Tapia, and seemed to be heading towards the classic. But Palmeiras reacted spectacularly in the final stage, undeterred by the disadvantage and refereeing complaints from the opponent.
Flaco López and Vitor Roque equalized within four minutes, and Paraguayan Sosa scored the turning goal. The 3-2 away result put Verdão back at the top of the Brasileirão and reinforced the team’s combative DNA.
LDU 3 x 0 Palmeiras / Palmeiras 4 x 0 LDU (Libertadores 2025 Semifinal) – October 23 and October 30, 2025
In Quito, at an altitude of 2,850 meters, Palmeiras were defeated 3-0, with two goals from Gabriel Villamíl and one from Lisandro Alzugaray. Alviverde was dominated during the first half and even managed to finish with danger in the second half, but was unable to defeat the Ecuadorian team.
However, this Thursday (30/10), Palmeiras made history once again: Ramón Sosa scored at 19 in the first half, Bruno Fuchs found the net at 49 and Raphael Veiga scored at 22 and 36 in the second half, after being placed on the field at 19 in the second half. It’s like Abel Ferreira says: “90 minutes at Allianz Parque is a long time”.
WITH SOUL AND HEART, THE VIRADA TEAM WON ONCE AGAIN! HISTORY HAS BEEN WRITTEN AND WE ARE IN OUR SEVENTH FINAL OF @LIBERTADORESBR! NEVER DOUBT PALMEIRAS! 💚🤍
🏆 Palmeiras 4×0 LDU-EQU
⚽ Sosa, Bruno Fuchs and Raphael Veiga (2x) pic.twitter.com/wBRXy55AAR— SE Palmeiras (@Palmeiras) October 31, 2025
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