Corinthians aim to extend run v Estudiantes in Libertadores last eight | OneFootball

Corinthians return to the pitch in the Copa Libertadores this Wednesday (9), when they face Argentina’s Estudiantes at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium in the first leg of the competition’s quarterfinals. The match, scheduled for 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), once again puts Timão up against a familiar opponent, one against whom they hold a clearly favorable record.

In total, Corinthians and Estudiantes have faced each other five times in their history. The black-and-white club won four matches and lost only one, with no draws. Timão also have the edge in goals scored: nine to the Argentine side’s three.

Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians

The reunion comes three years after one of the most memorable chapters in this story. In 2023, Corinthians and Estudiantes met in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals. After winning 1-0 at Neo Química Arena, with a goal from Gil, Timão lost by the same scoreline in La Plata. The tie on aggregate took the decision to penalties. And it was in Argentina that Corinthians secured qualification, winning 3-2 and advancing to the semifinals.

Now, the stage is even bigger. For the first time, the clubs will face each other in the Libertadores, again in a knockout tie. And Corinthians are looking to repeat the story of 2023 by leaving Argentina with an important advantage before deciding the place at home.

The history of this matchup began in 1936, with a 1-0 Corinthians victory at Fazendinha. The result was repeated in 1982, when the teams met again in a friendly at Pacaembu.

In 2009, Corinthians recorded the biggest win in this matchup. Also at Pacaembu, Timão thrashed Estudiantes 5-1, with two goals from Jorge Henrique.

The only official meetings came precisely in the 2023 knockout round. That year, Corinthians won the first match 1-0 and were then beaten by the same score in the return leg. In the penalty shootout, however, the black-and-white side came out on top and confirmed qualification.

So, although each team has one victory in the 90 minutes of the official meetings, Corinthians hold an important edge when it comes to knockout ties: they were the only club to advance in an elimination matchup between the two.

Fernando Diniz’s team heads into this continental clash under pressure from recent results in domestic competitions. In addition to being eliminated by Internacional in the Copa do Brasil round of 16, Timão are on a run of four straight defeats in the Brazilian Championship and are looking to use the Libertadores as a turning point in the season.

The second leg between Corinthians and Estudiantes will take place exactly one week later, on Wednesday (16), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), this time at Neo Química Arena. In the previous round, Alvinegro Paulista eliminated fellow Argentine side Rosario Central after drawing the first leg away from home and winning 1-0 in Itaquera, with a goal from Breno Bidon.

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