Match Overview
The quarter‑final clash between Flamengo and Estudiantes de La Plata was played at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi on September 25, 2025. After a 1-0 defeat in the regular 90 minutes, the Brazilian giants found themselves level on aggregate, 2‑2, thanks to a last‑minute half‑time strike from Gastón Benedetti. The goal came in the 45+2 minute, sending the Argentine side into a narrow 1‑0 lead for the second leg and tying the overall score.
The tie seemed headed for extra time, but the competition rules sent it straight to a penalty shootout. Both teams lined up their best spot‑kick takers. Flamengo’s composure shone through as they converted four of their attempts, while Estudiantes could only find the net twice.
Goalkeeper Agustín Rossi emerged as the hero. He denied several Estudiantes shooters, most notably making a low‑driven save on Santiago Ascacíbar’s penalty, plucking the ball cleanly to his bottom‑left corner. Rossi’s saves gave Flamengo the edge, and when the Argentine side missed their third penalty, the shootout was effectively over.
Key moments that defined the night include:
- Gastón Benedetti’s 45+2 minute goal that leveled the tie.
- Rossi’s double‑save performance, especially the Ascacíbar stop.
- Flamengo’s penalty takers – Gabriel Barbosa, Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique and Pablo.
- Estudiantes’ missed penalties by Nahuel Molina and Diego Valdez.
Both squads featured several marquee names. Estudiantes started with veteran goalkeeper Muslera, while their attack saw the likes of Lucas Pratto and Alejandro Villarruel. Flamengo fielded a blend of experience and youth, with seasoned players like Giorgian de Arrascaeta and the dynamic forward Gabriel Barbosa shouldering the pressure during the shootout.
Road Ahead
With the shootout win, Flamengo punches its ticket to the semifinals where it will face Argentine powerhouse Racing Club. Racing earned its semifinal spot after a convincing 3‑1 aggregate triumph over Peñarol, and they bring a reputation for disciplined defending and quick transitions.
For Flamengo, the next round is another test of nerves. The team’s recent history in South America shows a pattern of thriving under pressure – they lifted the Libertadores trophy in 2022 and reached the final two years later. Coach Dorival Júnior will likely rely on the same mental toughness that saw them survive this penalty marathon.
Estudiantes, on the other hand, returns home disappointed but with a sense of pride. Their extra‑time performance, especially the late half‑time goal, demonstrated resilience. Head coach Pablo Aimar has hinted that the side will use the loss as a learning curve for the upcoming domestic league campaign.
Fans of both clubs are already buzzing on social media. Flamengo supporters celebrate the comeback, posting clips of Rossi’s saves and the jubilant celebrations in the locker room. Estudiantes fans, while heartbroken, have praised their team’s effort and called for more investment in youth development to avoid future shootout heartbreaks.
The semifinal fixture is set for early November, with the first leg scheduled at Estadio Presidente Perón in Buenos Aires. If the tie follows the same dramatic pattern, South American football lovers can expect another electric encounter.
Estudiantes played their hearts out. No shame in losing to a team that’s been here before.
Every kid in Argentina and Brazil who just missed a penalty? They’ll remember this. And they’ll come back stronger.
Flamengo didn’t win because they were better. They won because they were more willing to accept the absurdity of the moment. Estudiantes, in their dignity, refused to surrender to it. Both are heroes.
Estudiantes. So close. So elegant. So heartbroken.
They played like poets. Flamengo played like warriors.
And now… the silence in La Plata… it echoes louder than any crowd.
Why was the pitch so slippery after halftime? Why did the fourth penalty taker get a delayed whistle? Coincidence? I don’t think so. This was a setup. Flamengo’s owners have ties to the league. You think they didn’t pull strings? #FixTheGame
And then Rossi? The quiet assassin. No flash. No showboating. Just ice in his veins and a net that became his cathedral.