'Red-and-black temple' - Monumental Stadium set for 80,000 as Palmeiras and Flamengo meet in Lima final

'Red-and-black temple' - Monumental Stadium set for 80,000 as Palmeiras and Flamengo meet in Lima final

"The Monumental Stadium in Lima is ready to host the 2025 Copa Libertadores final, where Brazilian rivals Palmeiras and Flamengo will face off before 80,000 fans on Saturday. Also known as 'El Templo', the venue becomes the final stage for the second time, reinforcing its status as one of South America’s most iconic football arenas. Local authorities and Conmebol stepped up preparations to welcome supporters arriving from across the continent, boosting surveillance, improving transportation logistics, and streamlining access as the stadium is expected to reach full capacity. The Monumental hosted major moments in regional football, including the 2019 Libertadores' first single-match final, where Flamengo beat Argentina's River Plate 2-1 to claim their second title. In honour of its historic connection to the venue, Flamengo this week released a video on its social media, calling the Monumental de Lima a stadium that "goes from being an Andean giant to becoming a red-and-black temple." Opened in 2000 in Lima's Ate district, the stadium held the title of South America's largest for years with a capacity of 80,000. Since 2023, however, it ranks behind River Plate's renovated Monumental, which now seats 85,000. "

'Red-and-black temple' - Monumental Stadium set for 80,000 as Palmeiras and Flamengo meet in Lima final

'Red-and-black temple' - Monumental Stadium set for 80,000 as Palmeiras and Flamengo meet in Lima final

"The Monumental Stadium in Lima is ready to host the 2025 Copa Libertadores final, where Brazilian rivals Palmeiras and Flamengo will face off before 80,000 fans on Saturday. Also known as 'El Templo', the venue becomes the final stage for the second time, reinforcing its status as one of South America’s most iconic football arenas. Local authorities and Conmebol stepped up preparations to welcome supporters arriving from across the continent, boosting surveillance, improving transportation logistics, and streamlining access as the stadium is expected to reach full capacity. The Monumental hosted major moments in regional football, including the 2019 Libertadores' first single-match final, where Flamengo beat Argentina's River Plate 2-1 to claim their second title. In honour of its historic connection to the venue, Flamengo this week released a video on its social media, calling the Monumental de Lima a stadium that "goes from being an Andean giant to becoming a red-and-black temple." Opened in 2000 in Lima's Ate district, the stadium held the title of South America's largest for years with a capacity of 80,000. Since 2023, however, it ranks behind River Plate's renovated Monumental, which now seats 85,000. "

Nottingham Forest pay tribute to former academy goalkeeper Josh Travis as friends remember ‘polite & funny’ teen

Nottingham Forest pay tribute to former academy goalkeeper Josh Travis as friends remember ‘polite & funny’ teen

EX-Nottingham Forrest academy star Josh Travis has tragically died. Heartbreaking tributes poured in for late goalkeeper, with Forest saying on social media they were "deeply saddened" by the youngster's passing. The Reds said on Instagram: "Everyone at Nottingham Forest is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our former academy goalkeeper Josh Travis....