In the exciting clash between Corinthians and Estudiantes de La Plata, the crossbar saves Timão, who qualifies in the penalty shootout.
(Image/ Twitter Corinthians)
Corinthians secures its qualification for the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana after a game completely controlled by Estudiantes. The team led by Luxemburgo had the mission of going to Argentina with a 1-0 advantage from the first game. However, in the first minute of the game, after the Argentine team's exchange of passes resulted in a cross, the ball fell into the area for Mauro Méndez to open the scoring and undo Corinthians' advantage.
With the black and white team from São Paulo stunned after the goal, Estudiantes continued to press in search of reversing the aggregate score. Cassio had 11 shots on goal, requiring several spectacular saves, and when they couldn't get to the ball, the black and white team's luck was on the crossbar to save the game.
In the second half, the game's dynamics remained the same, with Estudiantes pressing and Corinthians losing their touch. With little creativity in the midfield and little improvement in the team's substitutions, the team had to hold off Argentina's momentum and take the game to a penalty shootout.
In the penalty shootout, Cássio's star shines once again, defending Rollheiser's penalty. Giuliano, who came on in the second half, misses his own penalty, adding to the tension in the match. And, after the defender saves Lollo and Ascacíbar's penalties, Corinthians qualify for the semis.
Timão now awaits the decision between Fortaleza and América-MG to see who they will face in the next phase of the South American.
Possession was a key factor in the outcome of the match. Estudiantes de La Plata dominated in this regard, maintaining 64% of possession, which allowed them to control the pace of the game and impose their style of play. This dominance in possession allowed Estudiantes to create constant attacking opportunities and build plays more consistently.
On the other hand, Corinthians, with 36% of possession, found themselves in a defensive position for much of the game. They probably opted for a more reactive approach, looking to take advantage of counterattacks and quick plays to try and surprise Estudiantes.
In terms of shots on goal, the numbers are quite uneven. Estudiantes registered an impressive total of 30 shots, demonstrating their aggressiveness in seeking the goal. This significant volume of shots on goal suggests that Estudiantes were determined to pressure Corinthians and exploit their scoring opportunities.
Corinthians, on the other hand, had a much more modest number of shots, with just 7 shots on goal. This could indicate that they struggled to create clear-cut chances against Estudiantes' well-organised defence. It could also reflect Corinthians' more cautious approach, focusing on taking advantage of specific moments to attack.
The passing aspect also reflects each team’s approach. Estudiantes de La Plata demonstrated a more patient and build-up style of play, registering a total of 622 passes. This suggests that they prioritized passing to create space and attacking opportunities. The high passing rate could also be related to the control of possession they maintained.
Corinthians, in turn, made 368 passes. Although they have less possession, the number of passes is still relatively high, which may indicate an approach of maintaining possession when possible and trying to build plays, even if in smaller volumes than Estudiantes.
