Muslera's penalty heroics put Estudiantes in final

WATCH the Copa Libertadores LIVE on beIN SPORTS | Sign up TODAY!! | AU | NZ

After goalless draws across both legs of the semi-final, Muslera brilliantly saved Jorginho, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Henrique's attempts to seal a 3-2 triumph in a penalty shootout.

Estudiantes, which saw Baltasar Rodriguez sent off in the 50th minute for a second yellow card, will now face Palmeiras in the final at the Centenario Stadium on 29 November (AEDT).

Both teams started brightly in their quest to take an early lead, with Estudiantes defenders Santiago Nunez and Marcos Rojo forcing Agustin Rossi into making two smart stops.

The first half petered out, but it burst into life five minutes after the restart when Rodriguez was sent off for a second bookable offence for a needless challenge on Jorginho.

His dismissal allowed Flamengo to control from there, but efforts from Paqueta were comfortably held by Muslera, with penalties deciding who would reach the showpiece match.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Jose Sosa got their sides off to the perfect start in the shoot-out, with Jorginho the first to blink as his stuttering run-up failed to fool Muslera.

Edwuin Cetre could not make Estudiantes's 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 shootout going, but Muslera proved to be the hero as he dived to the same side and thwarted Henrique's effort, sparking wild scenes among the Estudiantes supporters at the Maracana.