Estudiantes de La Plata and Universidad Católica drew 1-1 at Estadio UNO Jorge Luis Hirschi in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores 2026 Round of 16, in a match that began with an immediate blow from the Argentine side and ended with a Chilean response that left everything open for the return leg.

Joaquín Tobio Burgos put El Pincha ahead just after kickoff, while Fernando Zampedri appeared late in the match to rescue a hugely valuable result for Los Cruzados.

A blow almost straight from kickoff

Estudiantes needed only a few minutes to ignite the crowd in La Plata.

In the 3rd minute, Joaquín Tobio Burgos found the back of the net to make it 1-0 for Alexander Medina’s side, which started the match with the intensity needed to impose itself from the outset.

The lead allowed El Pincha to control much of the first half and create more chances. Guido Carrillo, Santiago Núñez, Tobio Burgos and Tiago Palacios all went close before halftime, but goalkeeper Vicente Bernedo and the Chilean defense prevented the advantage from growing.

Universidad Católica, meanwhile, struggled to create danger for long stretches, although Fernando Zampedri began to threaten with an opportunity in the 32nd minute.

Estudiantes wastes chances and Católica stays alive

The Argentine side came out dangerous again after the break and came very close to doubling its lead.

Gastón Benedetti had a chance shortly after the restart and, not long afterward, Fabricio Pérez wasted another clear opportunity, while Universidad Católica continued to withstand the home side’s attacks.

As the minutes passed, however, Estudiantes failed to turn its dominance into a second goal, and Los Cruzados remained increasingly within striking distance on the scoreboard.

Zampedri delivers when Católica needs him most

Just when it looked as though Estudiantes would travel to Chile with an advantage, the visitors’ main attacking reference stepped up.

In the 79th minute, Fernando Zampedri scored the 1-1 equalizer and silenced Estadio UNO, punishing an El Pincha side that had several opportunities to put the match away.

The striker had already threatened minutes earlier and finally got his reward late on, giving Universidad Católica an equalizer that completely changes the outlook of the tie.

Estudiantes tried to respond and pushed forward again in the closing minutes. Even Lucas Piovi forced Bernedo into a save in stoppage time, but the score did not change again.

Everything will be decided in Santiago, Chile

The 1-1 draw leaves the tie completely open and forces both teams to battle for qualification on Chilean soil.

Estudiantes missed the chance to make home advantage count after going ahead almost immediately, while Universidad Católica survived a difficult match and will head into the return leg with the opportunity to secure qualification in front of its home fans.

The second leg will be played in Santiago, Chile, where one of the two teams will earn a place in the Copa Libertadores 2026 quarterfinals.