Muslera Hero at the Maracana With Three Saved Penalties Leads Estudiantes to the Copa Libertadores Final

Muslera, hero at the Maracaná

Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera became Estudiantes de La Plata's hero this Thursday by securing their place in the Copa Libertadores final, saving three penalties against Flamengo at the legendary Maracaná stadium in Rio de Janeiro, and taking revenge for the nightmare he lived through at the 2026 North America World Cup with his national team.

"Football, in the end, gives you a second chance," said Muslera, his voice breaking with emotion, after being named man of the match in the second leg of the Libertadores semi-final between the Argentine side and the Brazilian club, which ended 0-0 in regulation time and 3-2 in favour of the 'Pincharrata' in the penalty shootout.

The first leg, played last Thursday in La Plata, also ended goalless.

From World Cup nightmare to Libertadores glory

"First of all I want to thank God, my teammates, my family, who are in Montevideo, and my friends for reaching this final and taking Estudiantes to compete for another Copa Libertadores title," Muslera told ESPN after the game.

"We had to play the match at the Maracaná the way we did, with guts, focused, battling, and that's how we were able to beat a great rival like Flamengo in the penalty shootout," added the 40-year-old goalkeeper.

Muslera had been singled out by Uruguayan fans as one of those responsible for the Celeste's elimination in the group stage of the last World Cup, after making costly mistakes that led to goals against in the matches versus Cape Verde and Spain.

However, this Thursday at the Maracaná he showed his class and made the most of his experience to save shots from Flamengo players during the 90 minutes, before stepping up to deny Jorginho, Paquetá and Bruno Henrique in the penalty shootout.

The final in Montevideo and the dream of lifting the trophy

Asked about the meaning of playing the Copa Libertadores final in Montevideo on 28 November, Muslera said that "it will be lovely to return home and play the final in another temple of football like the Centenario stadium."

The veteran keeper added that he holds on to the hope of lifting the trophy. "I'm going to cross the river (the Río de la Plata) and try to give Estudiantes fans a great joy. We'll face a very difficult team of great stature like Palmeiras, but we can win."

At the end of the interview, still with his emotions running high and close to tears, he said: "Football always gives you a second chance." EFE

Subscribe to watch beIN SPORTS LIVE

You might also be interested in