Palmeiras survive a late collapse, win shootout to reach Copa Libertadores semifinals
Alexis Castro of Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata, center, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal against Brazil's Corinthians during the second leg of a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal soccer match in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. Credit: AP/Andre Penner
QUITO, Ecuador — Brazil’s Palmeiras squandered a two-goal lead in the final minutes against Liga Universitaria de Quito, but goalkeeper Carlos Miguel made two saves during the penalty shootout on Wednesday to lead the team into the Copa Libertadores semifinals.
The Brazilian side entered the return leg with a 1–0 advantage and extended it to 3–1 thanks to goals from Marlon Freitas in the 10th minute and Vitor Roque — who converted a penalty in the 73rd minute. However, Luis Segovia scored for Liga Universitaria in the 15th minute, and Michael Estrada added two more in the 90th and 93rd minutes to force the shootout.
During penalties, Carlos Miguel stopped attempts by Luis Segovia and Lucas Rodríguez to secure Palmeiras’s advancement.
Palmeiras reached the semifinals for the sixth time in the last seven years and will now face Fluminense, which eliminated Platense on Tuesday.
“Verdão,” last year’s finalist, is seeking its first title since 2020.
Estudiantes moves on
Alexis Castro scored a late goal as Estudiantes de La Plata defeated Corinthians 1-0, advancing to the Copa Libertadores semifinals for the first time in 17 years.
Castro scored with a volley from inside the box in the 87th minute—enough for the Argentine team to advance with a 2-1 aggregate score.
Fans of Brazil's Corinthians cheer during the second leg of a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal soccer match against Argentina's Estudiantes de La Plata in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. Credit: AP/Andre Penner
Estudiantes had not reached the Copa Libertadores semifinals since 2009, the year they won the title.
Their next opponent will be determined by the match between defending champion Flamengo and Independiente del Valle, taking place on Thursday.
Corinthians had a chance to equalize in the 90th minute, but former Manchester United player Memphis Depay missed a penalty.
The Copa Libertadores final takes place on Nov. 28 at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay.
More soccer news
