Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Clube de Regatas do Flamengo faces Estudiantes de La Plata today, Thursday, October 22, 2026, in the second leg of the Conmebol Libertadores semi-final. The decisive match, kicking off at 21:30 Brasília time, will be held at the Maracanã Stadium, where the winner will secure a coveted place in the final against Palmeiras.
The first leg, played in Argentina, concluded in a goalless draw, meaning either team needs a simple victory to advance to the final. Should the score remain tied after 90 minutes, the qualifier will be determined by a penalty shootout. Flamengo and Estudiantes previously met in the group stage of this Libertadores edition, with a draw in La Plata and a Flamengo victory in Rio de Janeiro.
Flamengo enters the match in strong form, boasting an 11-game unbeaten streak with eight wins and three draws. The Brazilian club has remained undefeated throughout the Libertadores campaign and currently leads the Campeonato Brasileiro. In contrast, Estudiantes, despite a strong start to their season that saw them top Group A of the Apertura, has experienced a dip in performance. Since eliminating Corinthians in the Libertadores quarter-finals, the Argentine side has secured only one victory, alongside four defeats and two draws, and currently sits tenth in the Clausura standings, outside the local playoff zone.
Team Changes and Home Advantage
For tonight’s crucial encounter, Flamengo’s confirmed lineup features Rossi; Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho and Lucas Paquetá; Carrascal, Samuel Lino and Pedro, as reported by Metrópoles. Coach Leonardo Jardim made two changes from the first leg, bringing in Jorginho, who served a suspension, for Saúl Ñiguez, and starting Pedro in place of Bruno Henrique. The club confirmed Bruno Henrique would begin on the bench. UOL also reported that Ayrton Lucas and Saúl, previously injured, were expected to return.
However, there were conflicting reports regarding midfielder Arrascaeta. While ge stated Arrascaeta was out due to a fractured left wrist, a snippet on globo.com indicated he was listed among the squad and would start on the bench. Other confirmed absences for Flamengo include Evertton Araújo and Danilo. For Estudiantes, coach Medina welcomes back Tomás Palacios and Leandro González Pirez from suspension, and Marcos Rojo, whose registration was initially barred, is also available. Gabriel Neves, however, remains sidelined due with an injury. The team opted to rest its key players in their most recent Campeonato Argentino match.
Flamengo is set to leverage its formidable home record at the Maracanã, where it expects to play before a crowd of 70,000 supporters. Coach Leonardo Jardim emphasised the importance of their home ground, stating, ‘To play in our home, with our fans, is always motivating and important for us to be competent.’ In the last decade, Flamengo has achieved 25 classifications or titles at the Maracanã in knockout stages, against only six eliminations or runner-up finishes. This year, the club has suffered only three losses at the stadium.
Path to History and Financial Stakes
A victory tonight would mark Flamengo’s fifth Libertadores final appearance in the last eight years, putting them just one behind Boca Juniors, who hold the record for the most finalists this century with six. Both clubs currently share three Libertadores titles in this period. The drive for another final underscores Flamengo’s ambition to cement its status as a dominant force in South American club football.
Beyond the sporting glory, reaching the Libertadores final carries substantial financial rewards. According to UOL, a spot in the final guarantees Flamengo at least US$ 7 million (approximately R$ 35.1 million) in prize money for the runner-up. Should they clinch the title, this figure escalates significantly to US$ 25 million (approximately R$ 125.6 million). To date, Flamengo has already accumulated US$ 9.61 million (around R$ 48.3 million) in the competition. These substantial sums highlight the increasing commercial value of elite club competitions, influencing transfer markets, club infrastructure, and player salaries globally, which can impact the international football landscape.
All eyes will now be on the Maracanã as Flamengo and Estudiantes battle for a place in the Conmebol Libertadores final. The victor will progress to face Palmeiras on November 28 at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, in a match that promises both a fierce rivalry and a historic achievement for the eventual champion.
Image: ge
Sources consulted
- ge: Flamengo x Estudiantes: onde assistir ao vivo, horário e escalações
- UOL: Flamengo busca 5ª final em 8 anos e mira hegemonia do Boca Jr no século
- Metrópoles: Com Pedro titular, Flamengo divulga equipe para semifinal da Libertadores
Bruno Kadez is a sports writer focused on performance, competition, and athlete insights. He covers major sporting events, player analysis, and trending stories across leagues. His reporting captures both the data and the emotion behind the game.
