Giorgian de Arrascaeta (R) of Flamengo shoots during the penalty shootout of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Fernando Muslera saved three penalties on Thursday as 10-man Estudiantes advanced to the Copa Libertadores final by beating Flamengo 3-2 on penalties.
Estudiantes was handed a numerical disadvantage in the 50th minute of the semifinal second leg when Baltasar Rodriguez was dismissed for a second rash challenge within 15 minutes.
But both sides failed to score in the allotted 90 minutes at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium following a goalless draw in the first leg.
Muslera then saved spot kicks from Jorginho, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Henrique in the shootout as Estudiantes booked a place in the final for the first time since 2009.
The Argentine club will meet Brazil's Palmeiras in the title decider at Montevideo's Centenario Stadium on Nov. 28. Both teams are aiming to win South America's premier club competition for a fourth time. ■
Giorgian de Arrascaeta (R) of Flamengo competes during the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)
Lucas Paqueta (L) of Flamengo vies with Joaquin Correa of Estudiantes de La Plata during the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)
Emerson Royal (top) of Flamengo vies with Guido Carrillo of Estudiantes de La Plata during the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)
Leo Pereira (L) of Flamengo vies with Baltasar Rodriguez of Estudiantes de La Plata during the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Lucas Paqueta (L) of Flamengo falls down during the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Ezequiel Piovi (1st L) of Estudiantes de La Plata vies with Bruno Henrique (2nd R) of Flamengo during the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Players of Estudiantes de La Plata celebrate winning the penalty shootout of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Jose Sosa (C) of Estudiantes de La Plata celebrates scoring during the penalty shootout of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Joaquin Tobio Burgos (L) of Estudiantes de La Plata vies with Emerson Royal of Flamengo during the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera (L) of Estudiantes de La Plata makes a save during the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)
Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (top) and Tomas Palacios of Estudiantes de La Plata celebrate winning the penalty shootout of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Tomas Palacios (R) and Fernando Muslera of Estudiantes de La Plata celebrate winning the penalty shootout of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)
Tomas Palacios of Estudiantes de La Plata celebrates winning the penalty shootout of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Jorginho of Flamengo reacts after losing a penalty kick during the penalty shootout of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Photo by Daniel Ramalho/Xinhua)
Players of Estudiantes de La Plata celebrate winning the penalty shootout of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Starting players of Estudiantes de La Plata pose for a group photo before the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
Starting players of Flamengo pose for a group photo before the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinal football match between Brazil's Flamengo and Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)
