# Estudiantes and Flamengo draw 0-0 in Libertadores semifinal first leg Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi keeps out a dominant Estudiantes in La Plata; the tie will be decided at the Maracana. By The Signal Edition | Sports / Soccer Published: 2026-10-16T03:30:00Z Updated: 2026-10-16T03:30:00Z Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/estudiantes-flamengo-libertadores-semifinal-first-leg-1hv3xie Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/a85572f701bf51e55ec962c042b985ce.jpg (The Copa Libertadores trophy displayed in Brazil's Chamber of Deputies in November 2025 after Flamengo's title (file photo); credit: Câmara dos Deputados / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)) ## Summary - Estudiantes de La Plata and Flamengo drew 0-0 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semifinal on Thursday, Oct. 15. - Estudiantes had 21 shots to Flamengo's six, according to Diario Rio Negro, and none of Flamengo's were on target. - The return leg is at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro next Thursday, Oct. 22. ## A goalless first leg in La Plata Estudiantes de La Plata and Flamengo finished 0-0 on Thursday night in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semifinal, leaving the tie open ahead of the return match at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. [1](https://portalciudad.com.ar/estudiantes-empato-0-0-con-flamengo-en-la-plata-y-la-semifinal-de-la-copa-libertadores-2026-se-definira-en-el-maracana/) [2](https://www.rionegro.com.ar/deportes/estudiantes-empato-con-flamengo-en-la-ida-de-las-semifinales-de-la-copa-libertadores-4760802/) The match was played at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, known as Estadio UNO, in La Plata, Argentina. Paraguayan referee Juan Benitez took charge, with Ulises Mereles on VAR, according to 0221. [3](https://www.0221.com.ar/estudiantes/activa-fer-estudiantes-juega-flamengo-la-copa-libertadores-n135869) Estudiantes were the more threatening side. Diario Rio Negro counted 21 Estudiantes shots, six of them on target, against six for Flamengo with none on target, and said most of the hosts' danger came from set pieces and long-range efforts. [2](https://www.rionegro.com.ar/deportes/estudiantes-empato-con-flamengo-en-la-ida-de-las-semifinales-de-la-copa-libertadores-4760802/) Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi was the decisive figure. Portal Ciudad credited him with several important saves, including from Baltasar Rodriguez, Santiago Nunez, Tiago Palacios and Guido Carrillo, and said Alex Sandro cleared a shot off the line. [1](https://portalciudad.com.ar/estudiantes-empato-0-0-con-flamengo-en-la-plata-y-la-semifinal-de-la-copa-libertadores-2026-se-definira-en-el-maracana/) At the other end, Fernando Muslera was not seriously tested, Rio Negro reported. Portal Ciudad listed a Bruno Henrique header that missed and a Samuel Lino break stopped by Nunez among Flamengo's best moments. [1](https://portalciudad.com.ar/estudiantes-empato-0-0-con-flamengo-en-la-plata-y-la-semifinal-de-la-copa-libertadores-2026-se-definira-en-el-maracana/) [2](https://www.rionegro.com.ar/deportes/estudiantes-empato-con-flamengo-en-la-ida-de-las-semifinales-de-la-copa-libertadores-4760802/) ## Flashpoints and absences Estudiantes midfielder Alexis Castro was booked in the 34th minute and Lucas Piovi in the 43rd, according to 0221's live coverage of the first half. [3](https://www.0221.com.ar/estudiantes/activa-fer-estudiantes-juega-flamengo-la-copa-libertadores-n135869) Portal Ciudad reported that Estudiantes wanted a red card for a 62nd-minute foul on Piovi, but the referee and VAR kept it as a yellow card. [1](https://portalciudad.com.ar/estudiantes-empato-0-0-con-flamengo-en-la-plata-y-la-semifinal-de-la-copa-libertadores-2026-se-definira-en-el-maracana/) Rio Negro said Estudiantes were without Tomas Palacios and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez through suspension, while Joaquin Correa returned from injury as a substitute. Estudiantes are also seeking Conmebol clearance for Marcos Rojo for the return leg, the paper added. [2](https://www.rionegro.com.ar/deportes/estudiantes-empato-con-flamengo-en-la-ida-de-las-semifinales-de-la-copa-libertadores-4760802/) ## Background and what comes next Flamengo knocked Estudiantes out of last year's Libertadores quarterfinals on penalties. Estudiantes have now reached the semifinals for the first time since their 2009 title, according to Noticias Argentinas' match preview. [4](https://noticiasargentinas.com/deportes/estudiantes-de-la-plata-recibe-a-flamengo-por-la-ida-de-las-semifinales-de-la-copa-libertadores_a6acf8c858298ee386b2e56ee) The return leg is set for next Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Maracana, per Rio Negro and 0221, which put kickoff at 21:30 Argentine time. [2](https://www.rionegro.com.ar/deportes/estudiantes-empato-con-flamengo-en-la-ida-de-las-semifinales-de-la-copa-libertadores-4760802/) [3](https://www.0221.com.ar/estudiantes/activa-fer-estudiantes-juega-flamengo-la-copa-libertadores-n135869) In the other semifinal, Palmeiras won 2-1 at Fluminense in the first leg, Rio Negro reported, with the return at Nubank Parque in Sao Paulo next Wednesday. [2](https://www.rionegro.com.ar/deportes/estudiantes-empato-con-flamengo-en-la-ida-de-las-semifinales-de-la-copa-libertadores-4760802/) ## Reporting sources 1. [Portal Ciudad: Estudiantes empato 0-0 con Flamengo en La Plata y la semifinal de la Copa Libertadores 2026 se definira en el Maracana](https://portalciudad.com.ar/estudiantes-empato-0-0-con-flamengo-en-la-plata-y-la-semifinal-de-la-copa-libertadores-2026-se-definira-en-el-maracana/) (2026-10-16) 2. [Diario Rio Negro: Estudiantes empato con Flamengo en la ida de las semifinales de la Copa Libertadores](https://www.rionegro.com.ar/deportes/estudiantes-empato-con-flamengo-en-la-ida-de-las-semifinales-de-la-copa-libertadores-4760802/) (2026-10-15) 3. [0221: Estudiantes y Flamengo empataron 0 a 0 por la semifinal de ida de la Copa Libertadores](https://www.0221.com.ar/estudiantes/activa-fer-estudiantes-juega-flamengo-la-copa-libertadores-n135869) (2026-10-15) 4. [Noticias Argentinas: Estudiantes igualo sin goles ante Flamengo y definira el pase a la final de la Libertadores en el Maracana](https://noticiasargentinas.com/deportes/estudiantes-de-la-plata-recibe-a-flamengo-por-la-ida-de-las-semifinales-de-la-copa-libertadores_a6acf8c858298ee386b2e56ee) (2026-10-15)