- Estudiantes have won just twice away from home in Brazil in the knockout stages of the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
- They have avoided defeat in six of their last seven away knockout matches and will decide their fate at the Maracanã, where they lost by a single goal in both previous visits to face Flamengo.
Estudiantes have rarely returned from Brazil with a knockout-stage victory in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, but each time they have done so, they have written a memorable chapter in the club's history. The Argentine side have recorded just two away wins in the country at this stage of the competition: a 2-1 victory over Cruzeiro in the 2009 Final and a 1-0 triumph against Corinthians in this year's Quarter-finals. This Thursday, following a goalless draw in the first leg in La Plata, Alexander Medina's side will seek a third victory at the Maracanã against Flamengo, with a place in the Final in Montevideo at stake. Palmeiras, who eliminated Fluminense on penalties on Wednesday, are already waiting.
Belo Horizonte, 15 July 2009
The first victory came with the trophy on the line. Estudiantes had already visited Belo Horizonte during the Group Stage of that year's competition, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Cruzeiro. Following another loss in Quito, Leonardo Astrada stepped down as head coach and Alejandro Sabella took charge. In July, Estudiantes returned to the city for the second leg of the Final, having drawn 0-0 in La Plata. At the Mineirão, Henrique gave Cruzeiro the lead six minutes into the second half, Gastón Fernández equalised shortly afterwards, and Mauro Boselli headed home a corner delivered by Juan Sebastián Verón to complete a 2-1 comeback victory. It secured the club's fourth CONMEBOL Libertadores title. Back in 1968, during their first Final, Estudiantes had also played in Brazil: they lost 3-1 to Palmeiras at the Pacaembu before claiming the trophy in a deciding play-off at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.
São Paulo, 16 September 2026
Seventeen years later, their second victory came at the Neo Química Arena, ending a frustrating run: until that night, Estudiantes had been eliminated in all four of their previous Quarter-final ties against Brazilian opposition, losing to São Paulo in 2006, Internacional in 2010, Athletico Paranaense in 2022 and Flamengo in 2025. After a 1-1 draw in La Plata, the second leg against Corinthians was decided in dramatic fashion.
In the 87th minute, Tomás Palacios delivered a cross from the left and Alexis Castro, who had also scored in the first leg, connected with a volley. Corinthians were awarded a penalty with the final kick of the match, but Memphis Depay failed to convert, sending Estudiantes through to the last four. "I don't know what to say, I'm speechless. I couldn't stop crying. I'm a sensitive guy," Castro admitted. Medina, who had faced that Estudiantes side as a Nacional striker in the 2009 Semi-finals, borrowed a phrase from the coach who had knocked him out: "We crossed the Rubicon, as the great Alejandro Sabella used to say."
Rio de Janeiro, 22 October 2026
Their third opportunity will come at the Maracanã, where Estudiantes have played both of their previous away matches against Flamengo in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, losing each by a single goal: 2-1 in the first leg of the 2025 Quarter-finals, a tie ultimately decided on penalties, and 1-0 in this year's Group Stage. Their opponents have an impressive home record: Flamengo have won six of their seven home matches against Argentine clubs in the knockout stages, while Argentine teams have recorded just four victories at the Maracanã throughout CONMEBOL Libertadores history.
Estudiantes, however, have encouraging numbers of their own. They have avoided defeat in six of their last seven away knockout matches, recording four wins, two draws and five clean sheets. Their only defeat during that run came at the very stadium they will visit on Thursday, in 2025. Moreover, they have already progressed through two ties in this year's competition after drawing the first leg at home: against Universidad Católica and Corinthians.
Medina was optimistic after the first leg: "We're going to Brazil with a good feeling because I believe we have a chance of producing a great performance. We'll need to be at our very best to secure qualification." Guido Carrillo, who scored Estudiantes' only goal across those two visits to the Maracanã and won more aerial duels against Flamengo than any other player in a match in this year's competition, with eight in the first leg, is already looking ahead to another night in Brazil: "It's going to be difficult, but we'll go there and fight for it. We're strong away from home too, and we already know the stadium, so we'll go there looking to qualify."
