El Pincha struck almost immediately after kickoff, but Timão responded just after the start of the second half and earned the result it was looking for before returning to São Paulo.
CONMEBOL Libertadores
Estudiantes and Corinthians Leave Everything Open for the Second Leg in São Paulo
Everything will be decided in Brazil. Estudiantes de La Plata and Corinthians drew 1-1 in Argentina in the first leg of the 2026 Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, in a very evenly matched game that produced chances at both ends and left the tie completely open.… Show More
Everything will be decided in Brazil. Estudiantes de La Plata and Corinthians drew 1-1 in Argentina in the first leg of the 2026 Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, in a very evenly matched game that produced chances at both ends and left the tie completely open.
Alexis Castro Strikes Early
Estudiantes needed just three minutes to take the lead.
Following a corner, Guido Carrillo managed to get a shot away and Hugo Souza parried the ball inside the six-yard box, but the rebound fell perfectly to Alexis Castro, who reacted quickly and fired it into the net to make it 1-0.
The goal immediately changed the game. Corinthians began to control more of the possession in search of the equalizer, while Estudiantes waited for opportunities to exploit the spaces on the counterattack.
Memphis Depay had Timão’s first significant opportunity in the 21st minute, but his effort from the edge of the penalty area went over Fernando Muslera’s goal.
The match became increasingly disrupted by fouls and stoppages, although El Pincha continued to create danger. In the 37th minute, Baltasar Rodríguez even attempted to score directly from a corner, but Hugo Souza was alert and managed to tip the ball away.
Estudiantes finished the first half as the more threatening side. The Argentine club continued searching for a second goal, while Corinthians struggled to consistently threaten Muslera’s goal.
Corinthians Responds and Hugo Souza Saves Timão
The second half began with a completely different version of the Brazilian side.
Corinthians came out determined to find the equalizer and was quickly rewarded. Rodrigo Garro broke through the defense with an excellent through ball that sent Kaio César one-on-one with Muslera, and the forward finished through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 1-1.
From that moment on, the match became much more balanced.
Estudiantes tried to press high to prevent Timão from building comfortably from the back and came close to scoring the second in the 67th minute. Guido Carrillo reacted to a mishit effort from Tobio Burgos, won the aerial battle, but sent his header over the crossbar.
The response came in the 73rd minute. Matheus Bidu attempted to surprise Muslera with a shot toward his near post, but the experienced goalkeeper reacted well to make the save.
El Pincha continued searching for the winning goal but lacked precision in the final third. Corinthians, meanwhile, threatened with quick attacks but was also unable to create any truly clear opportunities.
The final big chance arrived in the 90+2 minute.
Joaquín Correa connected with a spectacular header toward the bottom corner, but Hugo Souza produced a tremendous save to deny the second goal and preserve the draw for Timão.
There was no time for more.
Estudiantes struck first, Corinthians responded, and now everything will be decided at the Neo Química Arena.
A very evenly matched tie will head to São Paulo completely wide open.
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