- Guido Carrillo was the standout performer in Estudiantes de La Plata's 3-0 victory over Universidad Católica, which secured the Argentine side's place in the CONMEBOL Libertadores quarter-finals.
- The 'Pincha' captain and leading goalscorer scored twice and produced a brilliant display, having a direct hand in all three goals scored by Alexander Medina's side.
More than 15 years after making his senior debut for the 'León', the forward who came through Estudiantes' academy continues to write golden chapters in the rich and storied history of the club that developed him, watched him grow and with which he now dreams of achieving an outstanding objective on the international stage: winning the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
The Claro Arena provided the stage for one of those Copa nights that the 'Pincharrata' faithful will never forget. After a closely fought 1-1 draw in the first leg, the four-time champions of the Eternal Glory showed their pedigree and put the tie beyond doubt, with two of their home-grown stars taking centre stage: Carrillo and Joaquín Correa.
The No. 9 drew on all his experience to drag defenders out of position and create space for his attacking partner, who coolly put Estudiantes ahead. After the break, Carrillo completed the job: first with a trademark header and then with a finish driven by pure goalscoring instinct, putting the finishing touch to the tie and fuelling the dream of lifting the continent's most prestigious trophy once again, 17 years on.
With his brace, Carrillo took his tally for Estudiantes in South America's most prestigious club competition to 13 goals, drawing level with Juan Ramón Verón and Mauro Boselli as the 'Pincha's' all-time leading scorers in the Libertadores. Both lifted the continental crown, a feat the current captain dreams of adding to his own list of achievements.
Now 35, the Magdalena-born forward — who has had spells with Monaco in France, Southampton in England, Elche in Spain and Henan FC in China — is playing in his fourth CONMEBOL Libertadores campaign with the club he loves.
He scored seven goals in the 2015 edition, when Estudiantes were knocked out in the Round of 16 by eventual champions Independiente Santa Fe; one in 2024, when they failed to progress from the Group Stage; and two in 2025, before being eliminated by Flamengo in the quarter-finals. He has now scored three times in the current edition, which will see him among South America's final eight for the second consecutive year.
Carrillo, who helped extend Estudiantes' unbeaten record against Universidad Católica in the CONMEBOL Libertadores to three wins and one draw, has lifted five domestic trophies with the 'León'. His objective, shared by the entire 'Pincha' faithful, is to bring a fifth Eternal Glory crown to the trophy cabinet at Estadio Uno. But to turn that dream into reality, there are still Copa nights ahead in which Carrillo and Estudiantes can continue to shine.
