Palmeiras vs Estudiantes Winner To Face Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns will soon learn their FIFA Intercontinental Cup semi-final opponents as South America’s Copa Libertadores reaches its climax.
Brazil’s Palmeiras will clash with Argentina’s Estudiantes in a one-off Copa Libertadores final at Estadio Centenario on 28 November, with the winner advancing directly to face Masandawana.
Estudiantes—featuring former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo and Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera—edged Flamengo 3-2 on penalties following back-to-back goalless semi-final draws.
Meanwhile, Palmeiras, boasting key stars Jhon Arias and Andreas Pereira, triumphed 5-3 on penalties after their two-legged tie against Fluminense ended 2-2 on aggregate (winning the first leg 2-1 before dropping the second 1-0).
Sundowns earned their place in the intercontinental semi-finals after defeating Saudi Arabia’s Asian champions Al Ahli SC 2-1 in Pretoria in September.
Waiting in the final are French giants Paris Saint-Germain, who have dominated European football with back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles. PSG will face the winner of the Sundowns vs. Palmeiras/Estudiantes semi-final later this year.
The Parisian side won the previous edition of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup by beating Brazil’s Flamengo 2-1 on penalties in December last year, following Real Madrid’s victory over Mexico’s Pachuca in the inaugural 2024 tournament.
Whichever side advances to face PSG will take on one of the most formidable squads in world football.
Prize Money Breakdown (USD)
| Stage / Placement | Prize Money (USD) | Approx. ZAR (South African Rand) |
| Champions (Final Winner) | $5,000,000 | ~R80 Million |
| Runners-Up (Finalist) | $4,000,000 | ~R64 Million |
| Challenger Cup Loser (Semi-Final) | $2,000,000 | ~R32 Million |
| Derby of the Americas Loser (Playoff) | $1,000,000 | ~R16 Million |
| African–Asian–Pacific First Round Loser | $1,000,000 | ~R16 Million |
Key Context & Highlights
- European Champions Privilege: The winner of the UEFA Champions League automatically enters directly in the Final, guaranteeing a minimum payout of $4 million (runners-up) up to $5 million (champions).
- Comparison to FIFA Club World Cup: The annual Intercontinental Cup payout is relatively modest compared to the quadrennial 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, where overall winners can take home upwards of $85 million–$100 million in prize money and participation fees.
