Flamengo hosts Estudiantes at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro tonight at 21:30 local time for the second leg of their Copa Libertadores semifinal, with the winner advancing to face Palmeiras in the continental final.
Maracanã Stadium Prepares for Sellout Crowd as Teams Meet in Semifinal Return Leg
The decisive match comes after a scoreless 0:0 draw in the first leg on October 15 at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in La Plata, Argentina. Because neither side found the net in the opening fixture, Thursday night’s equation remains straightforward: victory for either Flamengo or Estudiantes secures a direct berth in the final, while another draw sends the tie straight to a penalty shootout.
Palmeiras secured the tournament’s first spot in the championship match on Wednesday night in São Paulo, eliminating Fluminense 5:3 on penalties after a 2:2 aggregate stalemate. The continental final is scheduled for November 28 at the Estadio Centenário in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Marcos Rojo Cleared to Play Following Court Ruling
Estudiantes travels to Rio de Janeiro bolstered by the availability of veteran central defender Marcos Rojo. The 36-year-old defender missed the first leg in Argentina after the initial registration dispute with CONMEBOL, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of the club, clearing the player for the semifinal return.
Estudiantes manager Alexander Medina also welcomes back Tomás Palacios and Leandro González Pirez after both players served suspensions during the first leg. The Argentine side enters the fixture sitting 10th in the Clausura standings of the Argentine championship, looking to replicate the away-match resilience they demonstrated when eliminating Corinthians in the previous round.
Leonardo Jardim Weighs Final Selection Decisions for Flamengo
Flamengo manager Leonardo Jardim addresses tonight’s fixture carrying an 11-match unbeaten streak, featuring eight wins and three draws. Midfielder Jorginho returns to the starting lineup after serving a suspension during the opening leg in La Plata.
Jardim lists a tactical decision in the attacking sector, choosing between Carrascal and Plata to join a projected starting formation that includes Rossi in goal; Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Alex Sandro across the back; and Pulgar, Jorginho, and Lucas Paquetá in midfield alongside Bruno Henrique and Samuel Lino. The team continues to manage injuries to Danilo, Evertton Araújo, and Saúl.
Speaking about the atmosphere awaiting the squad at the venue, central defender Léo Ortiz expressed the squad’s outlook: The motivation, I think it’s surreal; it’s always special, it always feels different, it always feels like the first time. So, I expect a great party, to lead us to another final.
Historical Records Favor Brazilian Side in Continental Clashes
Records show that Flamengo holds a strong historical record against Argentine opponents in the Copa Libertadores, claiming 16 victories, 12 draws, and only four losses across 32 matches home and away. Estudiantes now equals Racing as the Argentine opponent Flamengo has faced most frequently in tournament history, with six total meetings.
CONMEBOL appointed a refereeing crew from Uruguay to officiate the fixture. Gustavo Tejera serves as the match referee, assisted on the sidelines by linesmen Nicolás Tarán and Carlos Barreiro, with Antonio García operating the video assistant referee booth.
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