Copa Libertadores: Where to Watch River Plate vs Palmeiras in the U.S. and First-Leg Takeaways

How to watch in the U.S.

If you’re following South America’s showpiece, American viewers had multiple ways to watch the Copa Libertadores quarterfinal between River Plate and Palmeiras — and the same platforms will carry the return leg. The first leg kicked off on September 18, 2025 at 00:30 UTC, which was 8:30 PM ET (September 17) in the United States.

FuboTV served as the primary streaming home for the tournament in the U.S. this season, carrying live matches, replays, and shoulder programming. It’s built for soccer fans, with match-by-match coverage and cloud DVR that lets you replay key moments without hunting around. If you prefer streaming devices, FuboTV works on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, phones, and tablets.

beIN SPORTS also broadcast the quarterfinal, with full match coverage, pregame build‑up, and post‑match analysis. The network’s programming slate around Libertadores nights typically includes tactical breakdowns, highlights, and extended replays for anyone who couldn’t watch live. If you use a cable replacement, check that your package includes beIN SPORTS or its Spanish‑language feed.

YouTube TV gave subscribers access through its sports add‑ons that include channels carrying Libertadores coverage. The service’s unlimited DVR is handy for late kickoffs out of Buenos Aires or São Paulo, and you can watch on the go across phones, tablets, and smart TVs. If you’re setting things up for the second leg, search for the tie by team names and add it to your library so it records automatically.

Quick timing guide for U.S. audiences on Buenos Aires kickoffs:

• Eastern Time: 8:30 PM (previous day)
• Central Time: 7:30 PM (previous day)
• Mountain Time: 6:30 PM (previous day)
• Pacific Time: 5:30 PM (previous day)

Can’t catch it live? Look for full‑match replays and condensed highlights on the same platforms. beIN SPORTS typically reruns the game overnight with a short highlight show, while FuboTV and YouTube TV DVRs make it easy to jump straight to goals, bookings, and second‑half turning points.

Practical tips for a smooth stream:

• Start your stream five minutes early — pre‑game shows often include key lineup notes and late injury updates.
• Use DVR to mark the start of each half; it makes rewatching big moments simple.
• If you’re switching devices (TV to phone), test once before kickoff to avoid re‑authentication hassle mid‑match.

What happened in Buenos Aires — and what it means

The first leg at a packed Estadio Más Monumental delivered the noise and the drama. Palmeiras landed the first punch inside six minutes, when captain Gustavo Gómez met a delivery in the box for 1–0. The visitors doubled their lead in the 41st minute through Vitor Roque, finishing a move that cut through River’s left side. At 2–0, Palmeiras looked in complete control and happy to throttle the tempo.

River, however, kept pushing. Marcelo Gallardo’s old blueprint — wing overloads, quick vertical passing, and relentless pressing after turnovers — is still the cultural standard at the Monumental, and River leaned into it as the game wore on. The payoff came late: Lucas Martínez Quarta stabbed home in the 89th minute to make it 2–1, a lifeline that changes the complexion of the tie.

That late goal matters. With the away‑goals rule no longer used in CONMEBOL competitions, the second leg in São Paulo is straightforward: Palmeiras advance with a win or a draw, and River must win by at least one to force penalties or by two to go through outright. If the aggregate score is level after 90 minutes of the return leg, the tie goes straight to a penalty shootout.

Tactically, Palmeiras were ruthless in transition. They absorbed pressure, stayed compact between the lines, and hit River’s high backline with early balls into space. The early Gómez header tilted the match toward their game plan — control the middle, limit River’s combinations around the box, and attack quickly down the channels. River’s late surge came once they committed extra bodies forward and won second balls higher up the pitch.

Momentum is now the talking point. A 2–0 Palmeiras cushion would have felt close to insurmountable away from home; 2–1 is a different story, especially with River’s record in big knockout nights at the Monumental and the mentality of chasing rather than protecting. Palmeiras, for their part, have been here often in recent years. They navigated high‑pressure ties to win continental titles in back‑to‑back seasons earlier in the decade and have made a habit of managing away legs with discipline.

There’s history between these two as well. In 2020, Palmeiras stunned River with a 3–0 win in Buenos Aires in a semifinal first leg, then survived a furious 2–0 loss in São Paulo to advance on aggregate. That experience — knowing how to ride out a second‑leg storm — will be central to how they approach the return fixture again.

What to watch for in the second leg:

• River’s first 20 minutes: expect aggressive pressing and lots of early crosses to pin Palmeiras deep.
• Palmeiras’ counter routes: quick diagonals behind fullbacks and set‑piece threats with Gómez lurking.
• Game state shifts: a River goal before halftime would swing the crowd and force Palmeiras to open up earlier than planned.

Planning for the return leg? Stick with the same options: FuboTV for live coverage and replays, beIN SPORTS for the full broadcast and post‑match analysis, and YouTube TV if you prefer a bundle with DVR and sports add‑ons. Set recordings now so you don’t miss kickoff, check your device login ahead of time, and keep an eye on lineup news an hour before the match when teams submit their official XI.

The quarterfinal is finely balanced. Palmeiras carry the lead and the know‑how. River carry a late spark and belief. For U.S. viewers, it’s an easy watch — multiple platforms, flexible replays, and a tie that promises more edge in São Paulo.