Estudiantes de La Plata qualified for the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores after defeating Corinthians 1-0 at the Neo Química Arena. This victory came after a closely contested match, where tension marked the first half of the encounter.
The match started with few scoring opportunities, with both teams focused on physical play and battles in midfield. The first dangerous attempt came from a free kick by Memphis Depay that went wide, although Estudiantes soon took control of the ball and began to apply pressure. The home team struggled to react, and although Kaio César created a chance towards the end of the first half, his shot was easily saved by Fernando Muslera.
Before the break, Estudiantes nearly opened the scoring, when Tobio Burgos launched a powerful left-footed shot that passed close to the goal defended by Hugo Souza. In the second half, the pace of the game picked up, and both teams approached their opponents’ areas with more intensity. Matheus Bidu had an opportunity that required Muslera’s intervention to maintain the draw.
The goal of the match came when Tomás Palacios broke free on the flank and sent in a cross that Alexis Castro connected with an acrobatic scissors kick, breaking the deadlock in São Paulo. In stoppage time, Corinthians sought an equalizer after a penalty awarded by VAR for a handball by Leandro González Pírez. Depay was tasked with executing the penalty, but he sent the ball over the crossbar.
If the match had ended in a draw, it would have been decided by penalties. Estudiantes is now preparing for a potential semifinal against the winner of the tie between Flamengo and Independiente del Valle, which will be played on Thursday at the Maracanã.
The teams lined up as follows: Corinthians: Hugo Souza; Matheuzinho, Gabriel Paulista, Gustavo Henrique, Matheus Bidu; Allan, Breno Bidon, André Carrillo, Rodrigo Garro; Kaio César and Memphis Depay. Coach: Fernando Diniz. Estudiantes de La Plata: Fernando Muslera; Eros Mancuso, Santiago Núñez, Leandro González Pirez, Tomás Palacios; Ezequiel Piovi, Alexis Castro; Baltasar Rodríguez, Joaquín Tobio Burgos, Joaquín Correa; Guido Carrillo. Coach: Alexander Medina. The referee for the match was Jesús Valenzuela and the VAR was overseen by Juan Soto.
Source: www.infobae.com
