Estudiantes reach Libertadores quarter-finals, await Inter or Flamengo | OneFootball

In La Plata, Estudiantes tied 0-0 with Cerro Porteño this Wednesday and achieved qualification for the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores, thanks to the 1-0 victory as a visitor in Paraguay in the first leg. The rival will be known tonight and will be a Brazilian team: Flamengo or Inter, who will define in Porto Alegre their one-on-one, from 9:30 PM, after the 1-0 achieved by the Carioca team last week at the Maracaná.

Despite the advantage that gave them some tranquility to face the rematch, Pincha tried to take on a leading role, faithful to Eduardo Domínguez's balanced scheme. The main reference in the attack, Guido Carrillo, worried the visiting defense three times in the initial minutes, including a header that went to the hands of goalkeeper Alexis Arias. However, in inferiority in the global score, the Paraguayan team started with a more combative attitude than a week ago.

In the first half, beyond the fact that they needed to seal the qualification, Estudiantes had already had some bad news: Santiago Ascacibar received a yellow card for a foul and accumulates two in the series, so he will not be able to be in the first leg of the quarterfinals, as he will have to pay a suspension date.

In Cerro Porteño, the disappointment of Piris da Motta, who due to an injury had to ask for a change before the half hour and coach Diego Martínez sent Fabrizio Peralta onto the field. A rough start, with more inaccuracies than arrivals, almost without surprises in both goals beyond several centers. The coach had previously protested angrily about an unsanctioned hand by Leandro González Pírez. Little football.

In the second half, the teams remained for another 25 minutes away from the goals. They reached the areas, yes, but in that sector they lost efficiency. In the case of Cerro Porteño, the passing of the minutes increased nervousness, due to the need to score, and that was reflected in their game. Estudiantes did not have much margin, could not neglect. He felt it.

Suddenly, the local found himself somewhat cornered for several minutes, with a series of centers and corners in which the visitor was not fine. Then, in the midst of the murmur in the stands, coach Domínguez looked towards the bench and looked for fresh legs, in several windows. As soon as Facundo Farías entered, Alexis Castro combined with Carrillo and had the chance to sentence the duel, but the ball remained in the possession of goalkeeper Arias, alert. Maybe it was the clearest of the night.

Martínez responded with offensive changes, all or nothing. And in the chess game between the DTs, the Pincha's coach bet on a line of five defenders, already without Cristian Medina and Palacios on the field. Thus, he thought more about taking care of the goal than finishing the series.

Towards the end, they were going from goal to goal. Estudiantes took advantage of the spaces and Farías had his opportunity, with a bad definition that hit a defender. On the counter, a long ball left a visiting striker face to face with the goal, pressured by two defenders, and the ball went out in a forced shot. Then, Pincha breathed deeply.

In the South American tournament, it is already known that there will be an Argentine semifinalist, since Racing and Vélez advanced to the quarterfinals on Tuesday, who will be rivals. Estudiantes de La Plata joined them, from the same side of the draw. Meanwhile, River will resolve their series at the Monumental this Thursday with Libertad, from Paraguay, after the 0-0 in Asunción, to see if the Argentine teams make a full house in this instance facing the definition between the eight best.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.