Corinthians edge Estudiantes on penalties after dramatic Sudamericana quarterfinal

Estudiantes played a masterful match against Corinthians and looked poised to seize control, only to see their efforts thwarted by a stubborn post and a resilient defensive stretch. The home side pressed with purpose, leveling the tie just sixty seconds into the return leg, yet the late drama swung in favor of the Brazilians as the full 90 minutes unfolded. Despite Estudiantes’ relentless chase and the countless attempts on goal, the decisive moments ultimately belonged to Corinthians through penalties, sending La Plata back with a heavy heart after a match that brimmed with intensity from the opening whistle.

Football rarely hands out fair verdicts, and this encounter illustrated that truth vividly. Estudiantes left everything on the field, pushing to overturn the deficit in a contest that lived on the edge, while Corinthians absorbed the pressure and relied on clinical set-pieces to force a decisive shootout. The result sent Corinthians to the semifinals, where they would meet Fortaleza or America MG, as Estudiantes faced disappointment after a valiant, all-out effort across the two-legged tie.

The first half saw Estudiantes strike early psychological blows, finding the back of the net within the opening minute and signaling a possible momentum shift. The hosts dominated the early exchanges, peppering the goal with attempts and keeping pressure high. Various attempts by Estudiantes required sharp saves from Cassio and careful repositioning by the defense as the visitors defended with discipline and grit. The tempo remained frantic, with the frame of the goal repeatedly denying the home side and leaving the scoreboard tied in a moment of high drama.

In the second period, Corinthians steadied their rhythm and began to exploit counterattacks, looking for moments to break through the hosts’ defense. Although they couldn’t breach the goal before the end of regulation, the Brazilian side found a path to victory in the penalties. The shootout unfolded with a mix of precision and nerves, as the goalkeepers made crucial saves and the post denied several attempts. Ultimately, Giuliano’s miss for Corinthians opened the door for Estudiantes to push for a late equalizer, but the sequence of events culminated in a triumph for the visitors after the spot-kick sequence concluded. Cassio’s presence between the posts proved decisive, and the woodwork twice rose to stifle Rollheiser’s efforts, mirroring a night where small margins dictated the result.

In the wider context of Sudamericana 2023, the quarterfinals produced another chapter of drama as Estudiantes exited on penalties, while Corinthians advanced to a semifinal confrontation. The narrative highlighted the fine line between perseverance and fortune in football, where a moment of misfortune at the worst possible time can seal a team’s fate. The tie thus concluded with Corinthians moving forward, while Estudiantes reflected on a campaign marked by resilience and a strong desire to prevail on the road to the trophy. The stage was set for the next round, inviting anticipation for the ensuing battles in the competition and leaving fans with plenty to ponder as the season progressed.

CORINTHIANS – STUDENTS, MINUTE BY MINUTE

• From minute to minute, the tension built as León and Timao pressed in search of a decisive edge.

• The decisive moment arrived when Ascacíbar struck the crossbar, and Estudiantes bowed out of the cup in heartbreakingly close fashion.

• Benja Rollheiser emerged as a standout on the pitch, yet his fate was sealed by a late miss from the spot.

• Crucial shots from distance again clipped the upright, underscoring the narrow margins that defined the night.

• Rollheiser’s left-footed effort struck the woodwork for a second time in a high-stakes sequence, echoing the home side’s near-misses.

• Early in the match, de Leeuw’s pace and touch unsettled the defense, with Benedetti and Rollheiser testing the frame in a dramatic opening surge.

• Estudiantes drew level before the quarter-hour, as Méndez’s shot deflected past Cassio to spark a new wave of belief and set the tone for a brave performance.

• As night fell, the hosts remained buoyant, ready to host Corinthians at UNO Stadium in the return leg of the Sudamericana 2023 quarter-finals.

STATISTICS

FORMATIONS

STUDENTS

Mariano Andujar; Eros Mancuso, Santiago Núñez, Luciano Lollo, Gaston Benedetti; Jose Sosa, Jorge Rodriguez, Santiago Ascacibar; Benjamin Rollheiser; Guido Carrillo, Mauro Mendez. D.T.: Eduardo Dominguez.

CORINTH

Cassio; Bruno Mendez, Gil, Lucas Verissimo, Fabio Santos; Gabriel Moscardo, Maycon; Ruan Oliveira, Renato Augusto, Matias Rojas, Renato Augusto; Angel Romero. D.T.: Vanderlei Luxembourg.

Source: Goal