Fernando Muslera stood tall when the Maracanã demanded a winner. Three penalty saves sent ten man Estudiantes into the Libertadores final. Flamengo vs Estudiantes finished scoreless again, before the visitors claimed the shootout 3-2 on Thursday night.
However, this escape depended on more than their goalkeeper. Alexander Medina’s side survived a second-half dismissal, protected their penalty area and denied the Brazilian hosts a decisive breakthrough.
Flamengo vs Estudiantes rewards defensive resolve
Estudiantes arrived in Rio de Janeiro with the semifinal level after a goalless first leg in La Plata. Consequently, neither side carried a scoring advantage into the return at the Maracanã.
Flamengo initially pushed players forward and attacked through the wings. However, the visitors resisted that opening pressure and soon threatened through their own familiar route set pieces.
A corner produced a dangerous chance for Marcos Rojo, before Baltasar Rodríguez tested Agustín Rossi from distance. Meanwhile, Pedro created an opening down the right without finding a teammate at the far post.
Those exchanges mattered because Estudiantes offered a threat before retreating into prolonged defensive work. Their evening only became a survival exercise after Rodríguez’s dismissal early in the second half.
This semifinal changed character after halftime. Pincha showed attacking intent before circumstances forced them deeper. Nevertheless, Flamengo could not turn their later territorial advantage into the goal that would separate these teams.
Rossi keeps the first half level
Leandro González Pírez headed a corner down at the far post, putting Rojo within striking distance. Rossi reacted sharply to deny the defender, while Alex Sandro intervened when the rebound offered another opportunity.
Rodríguez then tried his luck from outside the area. Again, Flamengo’s goalkeeper prevented the visitors from taking control of the scoreline.
These chances challenged any reading of the match as uninterrupted Brazilian dominance. Instead, Estudiantes demonstrated why Flamengo needed defensive concentration alongside their attacking ambition.
Rodríguez’s dismissal changes the assignment
Shortly after the restart, Rodríguez pulled Samuel Lino’s shirt and collected his second yellow card. As a result, Medina’s team faced most of the second half with ten players.
Estudiantes narrowed the spaces around their box and challenged the crosses arriving from wide positions. Meanwhile, Flamengo circulated possession but struggled to create clean shooting opportunities through the middle.
That defensive response explains the match’s changing rhythm. Earlier exchanges had allowed both teams openings; now the visitors concentrated on surviving each attack.
However, protecting the area demanded repeated clearances and concentration as fatigue increased. Estudiantes maintained that effort until the final whistle.
Muslera decides the penalty shootout
After another 0–0, Flamengo vs Estudiantes required penalties to settle a scoreless aggregate tie. Muslera then produced the decisive intervention.
Giorgian de Arrascaeta and José Sosa converted their attempts. However, Jorginho could not beat Muslera, and Edwuin Cetré failed to score for Estudiantes.
Lucas Paquetá also found the goalkeeper in his way, before Eros Mancuso converted for the visitors. Léo Pereira answered for Flamengo, while Tiago Palacios restored Estudiantes’ advantage.
Finally, Muslera denied Bruno Henrique and completed his third save. Estudiantes won the shootout 3–2 without needing another attempt.UOL’s shootout report lists the successful attempts and missed penalties from both teams at the Maracanã.
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