Flamengo booked their place in the Copa Libertadores semifinals after edging past Estudiantes de La Plata in a dramatic penalty shootout. The Brazilian side won 2-4 from the spot after El Pincha leveled the tie with a 1-0 victory at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium. Now, Mengão will take on Racing Club, who knocked out Vélez Sarsfield in the other all-Argentine clash.

Benedetti sparks hope, but Rossi has the last word

The match began with intensity and leaned slightly in Flamengo’s favor, though Eduardo Domínguez’s side managed to trouble the Brazilian champions. In first-half stoppage time, Gastón Benedetti scored a stunning left-footed strike past Agustín Rossi, rekindling hope for the Estudiantes faithful. That goal forced the tie into a penalty shootout.

However, the story took an unexpected twist: in the shootout, Benedetti himself missed his kick against Rossi, who shone by saving the decisive penalties. The former Boca Juniors goalkeeper became Mengão’s hero, silencing the La Plata crowd and sealing his team’s qualification.

A blockbuster Libertadores semifinal

With this result, Flamengo remain on course for their third Libertadores title in the last decade and will face Racing in a tie that promises intensity. The first leg will be played on October 22 in Brazil, with the return match on October 29 in Avellaneda.

On the other side of the bracket, LDU Quito, who eliminated São Paulo, will meet Palmeiras, who knocked out River Plate in the quarterfinals. Thus, the semifinals of the 66th edition of the tournament will feature one Argentine club, two Brazilian sides, and one Ecuadorian representative.

The road to the title will end on November 29 at the Estadio Monumental in Lima, where the grand final will be played. For Flamengo, overcoming Estudiantes in such a dramatic fashion provides a huge confidence boost ahead of their clash with Racing, a side with rich Libertadores pedigree and a burning desire to spring an upset.