Wolves have completed the signing of Flamengo's Copa Libertadores winner Joao Gomes, making the highly rated midfielder their sixth addition of the transfer window.

Gomes has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with Julen Lopetegui's men, having reportedly rejected interest from Lyon in order to join the Premier League side in a £15million ($18.5m) deal.

Reports claimed Flamengo were refusing to deal with Wolves after receiving a more lucrative offer from the Ligue 1 club earlier this month, delaying his departure.

But the 21-year-old, who started as Flamengo beat Athletico Paranaense to win their third Libertadores crown in October's final, has joined Matheus Cunha, Pablo Sarabia, Mario Lemina, Craig Dawson and Daniel Bentley in moving to Molineux this month.

Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs said: "It's been well publicised that we thought we had a deal sorted a couple of weeks ago, but what's got the deal done has been the player. 

"He's turned down a more lucrative offer at another club because he always said he gave his word, he always wanted to come to Wolves since talking to Julen and I, so he's kept his word and stayed strong."

Gomes will now miss out on a potential meeting with Real Madrid after helping Flamengo reach next month's Club World Cup, and could instead make his Premier League debut against Liverpool on Saturday.  

Real Madrid could face Seattle Sounders in their Club World Cup semi-final following Friday's draw.

UEFA Champions League winners Madrid will enter the tournament in Morocco at the last-four stage next month.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will have to wait to learn the identity of their opponents, but it could be MLS debutants Seattle.

The Sounders are the first American team to reach the Club World Cup, having won the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final against Liga MX's UNAM.

Seattle are to make their debut in the second round against the winner of the sole first-round tie between CAF runners-up Al Ahly and OFC champions Auckland City.

The victors in that match will then go through to face Madrid, record four-time world champions.

On the other side of the draw, Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo, who were finalists against Liverpool in 2019, are to take on either CAF champions Wydad Casablanca – also hosts Morocco's representative – or AFC nominees Al Hilal.

With the two semi-finals to take place on February 7 and 8, the final and third-place play-off will follow on February 11.

Flamengo head coach Dorival Junior brushed off speculation linking him with replacing Tite as Brazil's boss following his side's Copa Libertadores triumph over Athletico Paranaense.

The Rubro-Negro clinched their third Copa Libertadores crown with Saturday's 1-0 victory over Athletico after Gabriel Barbosa's strike in the 45th minute.

The title comes less than a fortnight after Junior, who took over at Flamengo in June, guided the club to the Copa do Brasil crown

Junior has been linked with the Brazil head coaching role with Tite to vacate the position following the upcoming World Cup, with his latest piece of silverware boosting his case.

"It is very difficult to talk about hypotheses in my position," Junior told reporters after Saturday's triumph.

"My contract with Flamengo runs until the end of the year. My biggest prize would be to continue and continue the work.

"If there is a possibility [to be Brazil coach], it would be after the World Cup. You postulate a condition like that, but it's all still very distant and very vague.

"We have great professionals in the country, many respected, who also deserve an opportunity as the head of the national team. Tite is one of the great professionals in world football, at a very high level."

Instead the 60-year-old preferred to soak in the Copa Libertadores glory, praising goal scorer Gabriel Barbosa and tournament top scorer Pedro for their partnership.

Barbosa, who is known as 'Gabigol', was the 2019 Copa Libertadores top scorer when Flamengo also lifted the title, while he won the tournament's Best Player award last season when they lost the final to Palmeiras.

"It's a partnership that completes each other," Junior said. "It was no different than what I imagined in my head. I had no doubt that they could play together, with a closer relationship between them.

"Gabriel did not completely change his role. There was an alternation of movement and attacks in the last line. They know how to do this like no one else, a very great harmony.

"That small change made a difference… Perhaps Gabriel's contribution was even greater than what he had in 2019."

Flamengo's Copa campaign included 13 games, with 12 wins, one draw and 33 goals scored. Dorival Junior's side only conceded two goals in the knockout stages.

Gabriel Barbosa scored the only goal of the game as Flamengo beat 10-man Athletico Paranaense 1-0 to win their third Copa Libertadores.

The all-Brazilian clash at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha in Ecuador was ultimately decided by the man nicknamed 'Gabigol' in first-half stoppage time.

An even opening 45 looked like it was going to end all square, but Pedro Henrique was sent off after picking up his second yellow card in the 43rd minute for a foul on Ayrton Lucas to tip the scales in Flamengo's favour.

Athletico were made to pay shortly after when neat work by Everton Ribeiro on the right ended with the Brazil forward crossing for Barbosa to tap in at the far post in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Barbosa could have had another six minutes into the second half when Giorgian de Arrascaeta played him in on goal, but Athletico goalkeeper Bento smothered his effort as Luiz Felipe Scolari's team tried to stay in the contest.

Athletico substitute David Terans hit a free-kick from almost 30 yards that forced Aderbar Santos into a good save to his left late on, but Dorival Junior's team held on for a famous win.

Flamengo qualified for the Copa Libertadores final for the third time in four years with a 2-1 win over Velez Sarsfield on Wednesday rounding out a comfortable 6-1 aggregate semi-final victory.

The Brazilian giants had won the first leg in Buenos Aires 4-0 to have complete control of the tie coming in, but Lucas Pratto created some doubt with the opener in the 21st minute at Estadio do Maracana.

Pedro, who netted a hat-trick in the first leg, settled any nerves with an expert header from Everton Ribeiro's cross shortly prior to half-time to square the match up.

As the game opened up, Marinho thumped in a left-foot winner in the 68th minute, with Pedro's skill setting up the opportunity.

The Brazilians were denied a third goal in stoppage time after a VAR review, with Pablo's header from Marinho's cross deemed offside.

Flamengo will take on fellow Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense in the decider on October 29 in Guayaquil. 

Athletico got past Palmeiras 3-2 on aggregate, after a 2-2 second-leg draw in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.

Flamengo will be chasing their third Copa, while Athletico are after their first, having been runners-up in 2005.

A dramatic late comeback was needed for Athletico Paranaense to book their spot in their second-ever Copa Libertadores final, securing a 2-2 draw away at Palmeiras after a 1-0 win at home in the first leg.

Palmeiras controlled the first leg, finishing with 63 per cent of the possession while Athletico scored from their only shot on target, so when Gustavo Scarpa equalised on aggregate less than three minutes into the second leg, it appeared the reigning back-to-back champions would run away with the tie.

With 11 shots to three in the first half, it was all Palmeiras in front of their home fans – until a VAR review deemed centre-back Murilo Cerqueira's challenge worthy of a straight red card.

Everything changed after half-time, as it was now Athletico controlling 62 per cent of the ball and dictating play, but in the 55th minute Palmeiras took control as Gustavo Gomez found the back of the net to make it 2-0, and 2-1 on aggregate.

Needing goals, Athletico subbed on Pablo, who paid immediate dividends when he scored one minute after his arrival in the 64th minute.

Pablo then turned distributor for the decisive strike, finding David Terans in the 85th minute to stick a dagger into home fans and secure the 3-2 aggregate victory.

It will be Athletico's first appearance in the final since 2005, where they lost to Sao Paulo.

Two-time Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo have put one foot in the continental decider after a dominant 4-0 win away to Argentinian outfit Velez Sarsfield in Wednesday's semi-final first leg.

Pedro bagged a hat-trick for the Brazilian club, taking his 2022 Copa tally to 11, to silence the Buenos Aires crowd who were left stunned by the scoreline.

Flamengo scored twice before the break, with Pedro opening the scoring in the 32nd minute, before running away with the game with two further strikes in the final half hour.

The victory maintains Flamengo's unbeaten run in this year's tournament, winning 10 of their 11 matches, having conceded only once in five games in the knockout stages.

The second leg will be played in Rio de Janeiro next Wednesday, with the tie winner to face either Palmeiras or Athletico Paranaense in the October 29 final in Guayaquil in Ecuador.

One-time Brazil international Pedro opened the scoring by flicking in Leo Pereira's 32nd-minute cross, before a fine team move was capped off by Everton Ribeiro from Gabriel Barbosa's cushioned pass on the stroke of half-time.

Pedro was set up by Gabriel Barbosa for his second goal in the 61st minute, finishing with a classy dink over onrushing Velez goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos.

Gabriel Barbosa pushed a good 76th-minute chance into the side netting, but 2019 Copa winners Flamengo soon had a fourth in the 83rd minute when Pedro finished off a move he started to all but put the tie to bed.

Athletico Paranaense are one step closer to the Copa Libertadores final after holding serve for a 1-0 home win in the first leg of their semi-final against Palmeiras.

Athletico have not made it to the final since 2005, when they lost to Sao Paulo, while Palmeiras are the reigning back-to-back champions from 2020 and 2021.

In a game where Palmeiras controlled 64 per cent of the possession and produced four shots on target compared to just one for the hosts, it was Athletico's one shot on target that made the difference.

It came in the 23rd minute, when a botched clearance went straight up in the air, allowing 17-year-old Vitor Roque to bring it down and control it deep in the penalty area, before squaring the ball along the six-yard box to Alex Santana for the easy finish.

With the lead, Athletico opted to attempt to sit on their advantage and park the bus, only controlling 28 per cent of the possession in the second half, and they would have to do it with 10 men after a hand-ball Hugo Moura resulted in his second yellow card in the 70th minute. 

Incensed, his manager and former Chelsea and Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari was also shown a red card from the resulting fallout.

But the home side was gutsy enough to hold on, making five substitutes in quick succession in the dying minutes to try and kill the clock. It resulted in nearly 10 minutes of stoppage time, which they successfully navigated.

Palmeiras will host the second leg on Tuesday, September 6.

Luis Suarez has announced he will not be joining River Plate after they were knocked out of the Copa Libertadores.

Veteran striker Suarez, who is a free agent after leaving Atletico Madrid, had been linked with River and has now confirmed there was genuine interest.

The former Ajax, Liverpool and Barcelona man was open to the move, too, motivated by the opportunity to fight for a Libertadores title.

But River were eliminated from South America's elite club competition on Wednesday following a goalless draw at home to Velez Sarsfield in the last 16, losing 1-0 on aggregate.

Suarez will not therefore be heading to the Buenos Aires giants, who are losing Julian Alvarez to Manchester City, he told Ovacion.

"I was very excited about the possibility of going to River to fight for the Copa Libertadores," he said.

"It was a dream that I had to win a cup in South America. As River was knocked out, that possibility falls away."

Suarez has spent 16 years in Europe, signing for Groningen in 2006 after leaving Nacional in his native Uruguay.

And the 35-year-old said he was disappointed not to have heard from his former club, explaining: "If I came to think and get excited about the possibility of River, the same would happen with that of Nacional, which was my home.

"I am surprised that the leaders of Nacional did not even call me to find out my situation."

Instead, it seems, Suarez will stay in Europe. Ovacion reported he was weighing up three offers having been tempted by River.

"A month and a half ago, I declared that I was not going to leave Europe," he said. "But River insisted and insisted so much that I came to consider it, and there was a possibility.

"As much as one says something, when the time comes, you will consider it. You are excited that they love you so much.

"The player needs love. River was giving it to me, and Nacional could have tried that."

Boca Juniors confirmed Sebastian Battaglia's dismissal as the club's head coach after the dramatic elimination at home to Corinthians in the Copa Libertadores.

Sitting 11th after the opening month of this season's Primera Division and snatching a 0-0 draw in the first leg, Boca were lifeless for large parts of the second leg at home to Corinthians, before their 6-5 loss on penalties on Tuesday.

Dario Benedetto notably missed two penalties, with one in regular time and another in the shoot-out, to effectively mark the end of Battaglia's tenure.

The 41-year-old, who coached Boca's reserve team and was installed as a caretaker following Miguel Angel Russo's dismissal last August, leaves after winning the Copa Argentina and Copa de la Liga Profesional.

Also spending 13 years with the club as a player, the club insisted he will still be welcome at La Bombonera.

"Club Atletico Boca Juniors announces that Sebastian Battaglia is no longer the coach of the first football team and thanks him for his contribution throughout this cycle," the club said in a statement.

"Battaglia, after passing through the Reserve, took over as coach of the first team and won two titles, for which the entire club will be eternally grateful for his work.

"Sebastian, Boca will always be your home. Many successes in your career."

Palmeiras secured their progression to the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday, trouncing Cerro Porteno 5-0 in Sao Paulo.

Coming into the second leg with a 3-0 lead on aggregate, the Verdao eventually extended it to 8-0 over two legs with four goals in the final 20 minutes on Wednesday, following Braian Samudio's own goal in the first half.

Francisco Arce's side did little to put the two-time reigning Libertadores champions on the back foot, failing to generate a shot in open play in the penalty area over the 90 minutes despite the majority of possession.

Launches up the pitch from Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton resulted in late goals, with Rony scoring in the 73rd minutes and then assisting for Breno Lopes with a deft back-heel two minutes later. 

Palmeiras captain Gustavo Gomez scored what would be a cherished goal against his boyhood club Libertad's rivals to make it 4-0 in the 78th minute, before Breno returned the favour for Rony to round out the scoring in the 83rd.

Abel Ferreira's side will now meet Atletico Mineiro in the quarter-finals, after they progressed past Emelec on Tuesday.

Second-half barrage sees Flamengo through 

Flamengo set up a high-profile quarter-final with Corinthians in the late game on Wednesday, smashing Deportes Tolima 7-1 in Rio de Janeiro in their second-leg clash.

Dorival Junior's side confirmed an 8-1 win on aggregate over two legs, scoring five goals in the second half at the Maracana.

Pedro bagged a poker on the night, putting the two-time Libertadores winners up 1-0 in only the fifth minute, before helping put the aggregate result beyond doubt in the second half with another three goals.

Velez knock out River in huge upset 

Even after Corinthians eliminated Boca Juniors at La Bombonera on Tuesday, Velez Sarsfield claimed the last-16's biggest scalp, progressing past River Plate with a 0-0 draw on Wednesday in Buenos Aires.

Julio Vaccari's side absorbed pressure and looked relatively comfortable at the Monumental, against a River side that grew increasingly short of ideas.

Despite 71.1 per cent of possession in the second half, in what will likely be Julian Alvarez's last game for the club before completing his move to Manchester City, River Plate did not generate a shot in the penalty area from open play in the final 30 minutes.

Corinthians progressed to the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores on Tuesday without the injured Willian, going through 6-5 on penalties after two goalless legs.

After Boca scraped a draw in the first leg in Sao Paulo, they were given a chance to take the early lead from the spot, after a VAR intervention penalised Raul Gustavo's errant elbow.

Despite sending Cassio the wrong way, Dario Benedetto smacked his effort against the frame of the goal, critically maintaining parity in the tie.

The 32-year-old had the best chance of the second half for Boca as well, but his chip in transition floated just over when put through by Sebastian Villa.

In the shoot-out, back-to-back penalty saves from Agustin Rossi were not able to save Benedetto, who skied his second penalty before Gil eventually put the Timao through.

Hulk sends CAM through

Atletico Mineiro left it late but secured their progression to the quarter-finals, defeating Emelec 1-0 in Belo Horizonte to go through 2-1 on aggregate.

Antonio Mohamed's side struggled for significant portions of the first leg but dominated possession and territory in the return, with 21 shots to six on the night 

Hulk's 79th-minute penalty ultimately proved the difference, calmly slotting past Pedro Ortiz.

Romulo salvages draw and progression for Athletico-PR

Athletico Paranaense snatched a late 1-1 draw in Asuncion, advancing to the quarter-finals by winning 3-2 on aggregate.

The Paraguayan champions forced themselves level on aggregate through veteran Roque Santa Cruz in the fourth minute of first-half injury time, scoring via a wonderful solo dribble and finish.  

When the tie looked set for penalties, Romulo dramatically secured passage for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, picking up the rebound from his own header to score in the 90th minute.

Boca Juniors claimed an important result in their first-leg tie against Corinthians in the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores, holding on for a 0-0 draw in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.

Corinthians dominated proceedings at home but were not able to capitalise, with Roger Guedes also failing to convert from the penalty spot with the interval approaching.

It would have been a deserved lead for the Timao after a positive opening 45 minutes, but Guedes was brilliantly denied in the 43rd minute by Agustin Rossi, who guessed correctly and quickly reacted to save.

The home side's best chance in open play fell to Giuliano after a mazy dribble into the penalty area from Willian in the 46th minute, but Marcos Rojo scrambled to quell the danger.

With Exequiel Zeballos and Dario Benedetto struggling to have a tangible impact, coming back to Buenos Aires for the second leg with parity intact is a positive for Boca, after also failing to defeat Corinthians in their two Group E games.

Ortiz denies CAM smash and grab

Emelec will have to progress past Atletico Mineiro in Belo Horizonte after only managing a 1-1 draw at home in the first leg.

As expected under Antonio Mohamed, CAM primarily looked to absorb pressure, and they scored against the run of play in the 16th minute. A spectacular first touch from Hulk to bring Everson's hoof under control put Ademir through, and he calmly converted past Pedro Ortiz.

Emelec captain Sebastian Rodriguez deservedly got his side back on level terms in the 58th minute, but CAM had a penalty of their own with two minutes of regular time remaining. Ortiz stood up this time, though, denying Hulk what would have been the winner.

Athletico-PR take first leg

Two first-half goals from Athletico Paranaense allowed them to secure a 2-1 win at home to Libertad in Curitiba.

After confirming Fernandinho's signing from Manchester City, Luiz Felipe Scolari's side were characteristically solid defensively, but only after they hit the lead a second time.

Vitor Roque put the hosts ahead in only the sixth minute but the Paraguayan champions equalised through Hector Villalba in the 20th minute. Athletico PR restored the lead 12 minutes later, with Nicolas Hernandez scoring the eventual winner.

Fernandinho has rejoined former club Athletico Paranaense after announcing his departure from Manchester City.

The 37-year-old stated his intention to return to Brazil in April before completing his ninth campaign at the Etihad Stadium, and leaves at the end of his contract having made a total of 383 appearances for City.

Fernandinho took over as City captain after David Silva's 2020 departure and featured in five Premier League title wins, the last four of them under Pep Guardiola's management.

But the holding midfielder, who has won 53 caps for Brazil, was reduced to a supporting role during the 2021-22 season, starting just 17 games in all competitions as Rodri enjoyed a terrific campaign at the base of Guardiola's midfield.

On Monday, Athletico Paranaense tweeted an image of Fernandinho with club president Mario Celso Petraglia, alongside the caption: "Welcome back, Fernandinho!"

Fernandinho spent three seasons with the Curitiba-based club before joining Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005, where he won six Ukrainian top-flight titles.

Athletico Paranaense are coached by former World Cup-winning Brazil boss Luis Felipe Scolari, who joined the side in May.

Julian Alvarez bagged an extraordinary six goals as River Plate finished off the Copa Libertadores group stage with a win, smashing Alianza Lima 8-1 on Wednesday.

The Manchester City-bound 22-year-old had effectively secured the win for River in their final game in Group F, scoring a brace in the opening 20 minutes, before sealing a first-half hat-trick four minutes from the interval.

His third was the pick of the bunch, too, retreating between the lines to receive the ball before driving low and hard into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area.

Following Santiago Simon's goal in the 53rd minute, Enzo Gomez arguably topped them all for degree of difficulty, sending the ball into the top corner in the 79th minute before Alvarez rounded out the scoring four minutes later.

Los Millonarios ended the group stage undefeated, claiming 16 points from a possible 18 with the win.

Fortaleza snatch second from Colo Colo

In the other Group F game, Fortaleza took the three points and second spot from Santiago, defeating Colo Colo 4-3.

With both teams even on seven points coming into the final matchday, Los Albos needed the win but started the match in an inadequate fashion, conceding in only the second minute to Silvio Romero.

A Moises double before Yago Pikachu's goal in the 61st minute put Fortaleza in control, despite a brace of own-goals from Brayan Ceballos.

Cerro Porteno scrape through

Olimpia were unable to leapfrog Cerro Porteno in Group G despite claiming a 1-0 win in Asuncion, putting the latter through to the last 16 on goal difference.

El Decano needed to win by two goals or more in this Libertadores edition of the Paraguayan Clasico, trailing the Clausura champions by three points and with an inferior goal difference of one.

Despite an early goal from Fernando Cardozo in the 10th minute, they were unable to break the Azulgrana down and will have to continue in the Copa Sudamericana, finishing third.