Estudiantes return to a Libertadores semifinal after 17 years, set to face Flamengo

Seventeen years. That's how long it's been since Estudiantes de La Plata last played a Copa Libertadores semifinal. Now they're back at that stage, and facing none other than Flamengo, a club that seems to have a standing reservation for this phase of the tournament. The first leg goes on Thursday, October 15 at Estadio UNO, kicking off at 9:30 PM for Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, and 7:30 PM for Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. Fans across South America can catch it on Disney+'s Premium Plan.

Whatever happens on the field, this match already carries a special weight: the Pincharrata is stepping back into this stage of the competition after nearly two decades, and doing so against a rival that arrives battle tested, well versed in handling high stakes moments. For Alexander Medina, the La Plata side's head coach, it's a massive challenge: find a way to get an edge at home against a Flamengo team that never shrinks from the occasion.

The names who could decide the tie

At Estudiantes, one name keeps coming up more and more: Alexis Castro. That's no accident, since it was Castro who scored the goal that sent the team into this semifinal in the first place. Now he'll need to produce that kind of quality again, though he certainly won't be doing it alone: the club knows scoring chances will be scarce, so whatever Guido Carrillo can conjure up front will be crucial if they want to make the most of the few opportunities they're likely to get.

On the other side, Flamengo arrives with a few absences, but with a squad so deep it's still intimidating. Lucas Paqueta stands out as a player capable of tipping the balance at any moment, and up top, Pedro remains the kind of goal scoring threat that gives any defense trouble.

Current form and the most recent meeting

Estudiantes arrives at this tie with the bittersweet taste of a 2-2 draw against Central Cordoba (SdE), while Flamengo comes in with momentum after beating rival Fluminense 1-0. Two very different paths, though both sides understand exactly what this match means.

What came out of their last meeting? The two clubs crossed paths earlier in the group stage of this same Libertadores. At the Maracana, on May 20, Flamengo came away with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Pedro. But a few weeks earlier, in La Plata, the story had been different: that match ended in a 1-1 draw. Two games, two very different outcomes, and now it all starts over again with much more on the line.