Estudiantes de La Plata booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores with a 3-0 victory over Universidad Católica at Claro Arena on Wednesday. The Argentine side had drawn 1-1 with their Chilean opponents just seven days earlier, and this time they were ruthless. Two goals from G. Carrillo and an opener from J. Correa left the hosts with nothing to show for their dominance in possession.
The breakthrough came in the 44th minute when J. Correa found the net. Universidad Católica had already made two substitutions by then — both for T. Palacios — perhaps sensing the game slipping away. The visitors were clinical, and the momentum shifted decisively in their favour. By the time the first half ended, Estudiantes were already ahead.
G. Carrillo doubled the lead in the 53rd minute and then sealed the tie with a second goal in the 83rd minute. The hosts threw everything at it in search of a consolation but could only manage one shot on target all afternoon. To be fair, Estudiantes were not dominant in territory, but they were far more dangerous in the final third. They created three big chances compared to one for the hosts, and their expected goals figure of 1.26 told the story better than anything else.
Universidad Católica controlled 48 per cent of possession and completed 359 passes, but only one of their nine shots hit the target. Shots accuracy of nine per cent is not a good night at the office. Estudiantes, meanwhile, converted 64 per cent of their shots on target — seven attempts, all on target, and two found the bottom corner. They pinned the hosts back and hit them on the break when it mattered.
The result moves Estudiantes into second place on 9 points from six games, while Universidad Católica remain top with 13 points. The gap between them is narrowing, and the visitors have now taken something from both encounters. For the hosts, this is a setback that will not go unnoticed in the dressing room.