Muslera saves three penalties as Estudiantes beat Flamengo on spot kicks to reach Copa Libertadores final
Muslera penalty heroics seal Estudiantes’ first Copa Libertadores final since 2009
Estudiantes reached the Copa Libertadores final for the first time since 2009 after a 0-0 draw with defending champions Flamengo at the Maracana was decided 3-2 on penalties in the second leg of the semi-final. Fernando Muslera produced a decisive shoot-out performance to cancel out a second-half red card and send the Argentine club through to face Palmeiras at the Centenario Stadium on 28 November.
Ten men survive at Maracana
The first leg in La Plata had finished 0-0, leaving the tie poised ahead of the return in Rio. Both teams started brightly, with Estudiantes defenders Santiago Nunez and Marcos Rojo forcing Agustin Rossi into two smart stops for Flamengo.
The first half petered out before the game changed five minutes after the restart when Baltasar Rodriguez was sent off for a second yellow card for a needless challenge on Jorginho. Flamengo controlled possession thereafter but could not break Muslera down, with Lucas Paqueta efforts comfortably held.
Shoot-out drama
Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Jose Sosa converted first for their sides to leave the shoot-out level at 1-1. Jorginho was the first to miss as his stuttering run-up failed to fool Muslera.
Edwuin Cetre could not make Estudiantes’ advantage count, but Paqueta was also denied from 12 yards out with Muslera diving to his right to deny the Brazilian. Eros Mancuso, Leo Pereira and Tiago Palacios all scored to keep the tie alive, but Muslera proved the hero again as he dived to the same side and thwarted Bruno Henrique’s effort, sparking wild scenes among Estudiantes supporters at the Maracana.
The 3-2 penalty victory capped a remarkable night for Muslera, who had come out of retirement to represent Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup where he struggled, becoming the first goalkeeper on record since 1966 to commit three errors leading to goals in a single edition of the tournament. In Uruguay’s final group match, a 1-0 defeat to Spain, Alex Baena’s shot squirmed through his grasp and Muslera was replaced by Sergio Rochet at half-time. He subsequently announced his second retirement from international football, but the Copa Libertadores night ensured that memory was pushed aside.
Final opponent and context
Estudiantes will now aim to end a seven-year streak of consecutive tournament victories by Brazilian teams in South America’s premier club competition. The last non-Brazilian club to lift the trophy was Argentina’s River Plate in 2018.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Estudiantes were only just edged out in the expected goals battle, registering 0.79 from eight attempts to Flamengo’s 0.86 from 13 attempts, with both teams recording three shots on target.