Estudiantes de La Plata reached the 2026 Copa Libertadores final after beating Brazilian giant Flamengo 3-2 on penalties on Thursday. The Pincharrata will play in its sixth-ever tournament final, where it’s set to face Brazil’s Palmeiras on November 27.
The Argentine club reached the second leg of its semifinal with everything still to play for after a tight 0-0 draw at home, but looked set to endure a long night at the iconic Maracana Stadium.
The good news for Estudiantes was the debut of defender Marcos Rojo, who was cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the international body that settles sports disputes.
South American football governing body CONMEBOL had rejected the inclusion of the former Boca and Racing player in the team, claiming that Rojo’s case wasn’t covered by world football governing body FIFA’s regulations on signings outside the transfer window.
Estudiantes claimed that the Copa Libertadores operations manual allowed the registration of any player already registered with their domestic association — in this case, the Argentine Football Association — and was given the go-ahead.
CAS’ decision nearly proved crucial early in the game. Just 15 minutes in, Rojo came close to giving Estudiantes the lead with a tap-in from winger Joaquín Tobio’s corner, but goalkeeper Agustín Rossi made the save.
It was the only real chance in a locked-out first half, but things looked like they could open up in the second half when Baltasar Rodríguez received his second yellow and was sent off in the 50th minute.
Flamengo’s biggest chance came with just 10 minutes remaining, as midfielder Lucas Paquetá put in a pass for forward Gonzalo Plata to head. Estudiantes goalkeeper Fernando Muslera reacted quickly to close down the Ecuadorian and prevent it, and from that point on the game became his.
With the series 0-0 on aggregate after the final whistle, the match went to a penalty shootout, in which the Uruguayan goalkeeper became the undoubted star. Muslera stopped shots from Jorginho, Paquetá, and Bruno Henrique — which he celebrated dancing like Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez — enough to send Estudiantes to the final.
‘The joy is immense’
The win proved highly emotional for everyone at Estudiantes.
“The joy of what we achieved is immense,” said Pincharrata head coach Alexander Medina. “Estudiantes deservedly earned it across the series. This team has shown character, personality, heart, and guts.”
His words were echoed by Rojo, who returned to the club where he made his official debut in 2008.
“This is Estudiantes, there’s no explanation for it,” he said. “We came to a tough stadium, stood our ground, and played a great first half. It became an uphill battle after the red card, but this club believes nothing is impossible.”
For his part, Muslera dedicated the win to the fans who were unable to make the trip to Brazil and the club staff.
The Uruguayan goalkeeper was coming off a dreadful spell with his national team at the 2026 World Cup, where he made several costly mistakes.
“Football always gives you another chance,” he said.
La entrada Estudiantes reach Copa Libertadores final after win on penalties se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald.