Gustavo Tejera Appointed to Referee Copa Libertadores Semifinal Second Leg for Estudiantes
Estudiantes faces a familiar hurdle in Brazil for the Copa Libertadores semifinals, where Uruguayan referee Gustavo Tejera has been assigned to officiate the decisive second leg against Flamengo. The fixture is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, at 9:30 p.m. local time at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, following a scoreless draw in the opening leg at UNO.
Officiating History and Familiar Faces in Rio
Tejera, a 38-year-old official within CONMEBOL, enters the high-stakes fixture with an adverse historical record when handling matches involving the La Plata side. Records show that Tejera has previously overseen three international matches for the club, yielding one victory and two defeats.
👀🦁 NO LE TRAE BUENOS RECUERDOS AL PINCHA. Luego del 0-0 en UNO, Gustavo Tejera fue anunciado como el árbitro para Flamengo vs. Estudiantes en el Maracaná, por la vuelta de las semifinales de la #Libertadores🔙 El uruguayo dirigió en tres oportunidades al León, que obtuvo dos… pic.twitter.com/bXzy6GHnqC
The officiating sequence began in July 2023 during the Copa Sudamericana preliminary round, where Estudiantes fell 2–1 to Barcelona de Guayaquil in Ecuador, with Leonardo Godoy scoring for the Argentine side. One year later, Tejera was in charge of a Copa Libertadores group stage match in La Plata against Grêmio, which ended in a 1–0 defeat for the hosts despite playing a man advantage following Mathías Villasanti’s double yellow card. The lone victory under his watch came in 2025, when Estudiantes defeated Botafogo 1–0 at home courtesy of a Guido Carrillo goal.
For the upcoming clash at the Maracanã, Tejera will be supported by assistant referee Nicolás Taran, assistant referee Carlos Barreiro, and fourth official José Burgos. The video assistant referee booth will be overseen by Antonio García, alongside assistant VAR 1 Santiago Fernández and assistant VAR 2 Leodán González.
Controversy and Context from the Opening Leg
The appointment arrives in the wake of a tense opening match in La Plata, where players voiced strong complaints regarding the officiating crew led by Paraguayan referee Juan Gabriel Benítez. During the second half, Estudiantes players unsuccessfully appealed for the expulsion of Flamengo midfielder Lucas Paquetá following an aerial challenge involving Ezequiel Piovi at 63 minutes.
Referee Benítez issued only a yellow card on the play, and the video assistant referee did not intervene to prompt an on-field review. Speaking afterward in the mixed zone, Paquetá defended his physical style of play and maintained there was no malicious intent in the collision. Protegí la pelota, soy un jugador físico. Quien ve el partido entero se da cuenta de que en todas las disputas pongo el cuerpo
, he stated. En ningún momento levanté el brazo. El jugador de ellos es más bajo que yo, entonces su rostro golpeó contra mí, pero sin ninguna mala intención. Fue una jugada normal. Creo que no era ni para amarilla
, he added. The aggregate winner will advance to the continental final, with the opposite semifinal bracket featuring Palmeiras and Fluminense.
Supercopa Argentina Scheduling Update
Away from international competition, tournament organizers have altered the schedule for the domestic Supercopa Argentina final between Estudiantes and Independiente Rivadavia. Following an initial plan for November 13, the match has been moved and will now take place on Thursday, November 12, at 8:00 p.m. at the Estadio Julio César Villagra.
