Depay's penalty miss sends Corinthians out of Libertadores

Corinthians are out of the Copa Libertadores. Estudiantes won 1-0 at Neo Química Arena. Memphis Depay missed a late penalty, skying it over the bar, and the miss settled the tie.

Alexis Castro scored the only goal in the 87th minute. Corinthians had 60% of possession in front of 47,549 at the Neo Química Arena but made goalkeeper Muslera work only once in the first half, through Bidu in the 66th minute. Estudiantes played for time whenever they could and never troubled Hugo Souza.

Fernando Diniz picked his strongest available side despite arriving under pressure after five straight defeats in the Brasileirão. Raniele served the second match of his suspension, Yuri Alberto was still unavailable, and André returned from a thigh injury. Diniz made three substitutions, but only after Castro's goal had already put the tie beyond his side.

Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela was also a talking point. Corinthians objected when Gabriel Paulista, the 35-year-old centre-back signed in February, was fouled while the ball was still in the air from a corner, and the club felt his fouls and cards were applied inconsistently through the match.

Estudiantes now wait to learn whether they will face Flamengo or Independiente del Valle in the semi-final. For Corinthians, elimination adds to a difficult run in the league and leaves Diniz with even less room to answer questions about his position before the Brasileirão resumes.