Río de Janeiro (Special report) — Estudiantes shirts now dot Copacabola, Barra da Tijuca and even the once‑Boca‑packed bars. Fans have swapped stories and shared tables without a hitch. Now it’s the Pincha’s turn. Will this be more than just another match?
Estudiantes plays this Thursday at 21:30 for a Libertadores final berth, a massive target for a club that lifted the trophy four times but hasn’t reached this stage since 2009. Back then they triumphed in Belo Horizonte over Cruzeiro under Alejandro Sabella, with Juan Sebastián Verón as captain – a memory that still resurfaces whenever the side returns to Brazil. This time, however, the clash could shape the rest of their season, steer their immediate project and even keep alive a long‑standing dream: reaching the Club World Cup.
The goalless first leg left mixed feelings. Estudiantes dominated several spells, created the best chances and deserved a lead heading to Rio, yet the deadlock held. Now they must settle the tie against Flamengo, the continental champions, at the Maracanã.
A line from coach Alexander Medina sums up the challenge. “We chase the dream because we trust our potential and our squad. Nobody handed us anything here; we earned our place and will defend the right to reach a Libertadores final,” the Cacique declared. He added, “We’ve shown we belong. Many would love to be where we are.”
Estudiantes arrived here in a year where almost everything else fell away. They lost the International Supercopa final to Rosario Central, fell in the Copa Argentina quarter‑finals to Platense, sit outside the Clausura playoffs five points behind Independiente with only three rounds left, and sit three spots shy of a Sudamericana berth in the annual table.
They still face the Argentine Supercopa against Independiente Rivadavia on 13 November at Belgrano’s ground during the FIFA window, a trophy that grants no further qualification and barely shifts the landscape. The Libertadores, however, can rewrite everything.
The club’s main institutional goal is a 2029 Club World Cup return. South America will receive six slots: four for the Libertadores champions of 2025‑2028 – Flamengo already secured the first – and two from CONMEBOL’s ranking over that span. Points earned from the group stage onward count toward that qualification.
Estudiantes piled up crucial points in 2025, reaching the quarter‑finals. Yet they sit outside the 2027 Libertadores qualifiers and would need to win the Clausura for another route. Otherwise, triumph in this cup is their sole ticket back.
Medina’s contract runs until December and he enjoys Juan Sebastián Verón’s backing, who will be in the stadium, though Thursday’s result could shape what follows.
In a boost before the squad even touched Brazil, Marcos Rojo finally received CONMEBOL clearance and is likely to start. Medina can either slot the defender into a back‑five, dropping a midfielder – Baltasar Rodríguez or Alexis Castro – or keep a four‑man line with Rojo replacing Leandro González Pirez.
Every time Estudiantes reached this phase, they made the final. It happened in 1968 after beating Racing before beating Palmeiras; in 1969 after dispatching Universidad Católica and then Nacional; in 1970 versus River before the title over Peñarol; and in 2009 after overcoming Nacional and lifting the cup against Cruzeiro.
In Brazil the stats are even: 24 wins, 17 draws, 26 losses. Lately they’ve struggled. In the 2024 Libertadores they drew 1‑1 with Grêmio in Curitiba; in 2025 they fell 3‑2 to Botafogo in Rio during the group stage and later exited on penalties at the Maracanã quarter‑finals. This campaign, however, delivered a historic 1‑0 win over Corinthians in São Paulo, sealing the victory with a late header while the hosts missed a penalty. Flamengo is a familiar foe; Thursday marks their 14th encounter, with the Brazilians holding the edge.
In Rio’s streets, Estudiantes has begun its own battle. Of the 4,000 tickets allocated to its supporters, more than 85 % had sold by Wednesday, and a near‑full visitor block is expected. The club urged fans to skip organized banners and set meeting points to prevent incidents, promising a calmer pre‑match atmosphere.
Some fans trekked to Puerto Iguazú, crossed into Foz de Iguazú and caught low‑cost flights to Rio. Others secured direct routes. A few endured a 40‑plus‑hour bus ride just to witness the year’s biggest match.
That backing forms another of Estudiantes’ cards. The Copa‑winning pedigree, Guido Carrillo’s goals and a reinforced backline with Rojo provide solid reasons to believe. History weighs in. So does everything that could follow.