Estudiantes reaches Libertadores final amid Flamengo protest and Muslera heroics

Estudiantes de La Plata eliminated defending champions Flamengo on penalties at the Maracanã to reach the 2026 Copa Libertadores final, where they will face Palmeiras on November 28 at Montevideo's Estadio Centenario. The triumph was overshadowed by a formal protest from Flamengo, who challenged the inclusion of defender Marcos Rojo, and by the redemption story of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who saved three penalties.

The protest

Flamengo filed a complaint with Conmebol arguing that Rojo's participation in the second leg was irregular because the governing body had initially rejected his registration. Estudiantes appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS), which granted a precautionary measure allowing Rojo to play. Flamengo now seeks to be awarded the match victory. Estudiantes has until October 26 to present its defense and remains confident, noting that Rojo had already played a league match after the TAS ruling. Source: Clarín Source: El Colombiano

Muslera's redemption

Muslera, heavily criticized for errors with Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup, was the hero of the semifinal. He saved penalties from Jorginho, Lucas Paquetá, and Bruno Henrique to secure a 3-2 shootout win after two goalless draws. "El fútbol, en definitiva, da revancha," he said. Source: El Mercurio (Emol) Source: La Voz del Interior

Political undertones

AFA president Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia congratulated Estudiantes but notably omitted naming club president Juan Sebastián Verón, a political rival. Two days earlier, Tapia had explicitly mentioned Boca Juniors' Juan Román Riquelme in a similar message. Verón, meanwhile, used the occasion to call for structural improvements in Argentine football. Source: Clarín Source: La Voz del Interior