Estudiantes Stuns Corinthians 1-0 to Reach Copa Libertadores Semifinals

Estudiantes advanced to the Copa Libertadores semifinals with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Corinthians in the second leg of the quarter-finals on Wednesday, September 16, at São Paulo's Neo Química Arena. The Argentine side's decisive goal came from Alexis Castro in the 95th minute, a powerful left-footed volley from a Tomás Palacios cross that sent Estudiantes' supporters into celebration. The result overturned the 1-1 first-leg draw in La Plata, where Castro had opened the scoring in the 4th minute before Kaio César equalized for Corinthians.

Estudiantes dominated large stretches of the match, controlling the tempo and limiting Corinthians' attacking opportunities despite the hosts' typical 67% possession average at home. The Argentine team's defensive discipline proved decisive: they entered the match unbeaten in five of their last six away matches in Copa Libertadores knockout rounds, with four clean sheets in that sequence. Estudiantes managed the game through experienced players including Joaquín Correa and Guido Carrillo, who is the competition's all-time leading scorer for the club with 14 goals. Corinthians had a penalty in stoppage time that Memphis Depay sent wide, keeping alive hopes of an equalizer that never materialized.

Estudiantes will now face the winner of the Flamengo versus Independiente del Valle quarter-final in the semifinals. For Corinthians, the loss ended their impressive home record in Copa Libertadores quarter-finals: they had won all three previous second-leg matches at home in this round, most recently defeating Vasco da Gama 1-0 in 2012 on their way to the title. Referee Jesús Valenzuela of Venezuela oversaw the match, with VAR operator Juan Soto also from Venezuela.