Estudiantes vs Flamengo – News and Probable Lineups

Estudiantes and Flamengo face off once again in the group stage of the 2026 Copa Libertadores, having previously met in the quarter-finals of the prior season. Both teams are currently unbeaten and hold the top two spots in Group A.

The match on Thursday at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi is essentially a battle for first place in the group, with the hosts coming in with four points and Flamengo enjoying a perfect record so far in the tournament, having won seven consecutive matches across all competitions.

Match overview

Estudiantes enter this match having recently played to a goalless draw against Talleres in the Argentine Championship, a result that has secured their place in the round of 16 as group leaders.

Their strong campaign has continued despite a coaching change that occurred in February, when club icon and 2025 Argentine champion Eduardo Dominguez left for Atletico Mineiro.

He has been succeeded by Alexander Medina, who previously managed Internacional, and under Medina’s leadership, the team has recorded six wins, two draws, and three losses in his first 11 matches.

Estudiantes’ Libertadores run has been consistent, with a 1-1 draw against Independiente Medellin in their opener followed by a 2-1 win over Cusco, with strikes from Facundo Farias and Tiago Palacios.

Eager to claim the top position in the group, Estudiantes can count on a full stadium behind them and are looking to exact revenge for last year’s painful elimination at home to Flamengo via penalties in the quarter-finals.

Conversely, Flamengo come into this match in stellar form, having turned their fortunes around after a rocky start to 2026. Defeat in finals against Corinthians and Lanus led to the dismissal of Filipe Luis and the appointment of Leonardo Jardim as head coach.

This managerial change has yielded positive results: Flamengo have achieved seven straight victories across all competitions, which includes a commanding 4-0 win over Atletico Mineiro at Arena MRV last time out—one of their standout performances of the season.

Pedro (twice), Arrascaeta, and Gonzalo Plata were among the scorers, keeping the Rio outfit right on the trail of league leaders Palmeiras.

The race for the Brasileiro title is intensifying, with Palmeiras sitting on 32 points and Flamengo trailing with 26 points. This momentum has also translated into their Libertadores performance, where they have defeated Cusco 2-0 in Peru and thrashed Independiente Medellin 4-1.

A significant factor in Flamengo’s resurgence has been the form of several key players; Pedro, Samuel Lino, and Lucas Paqueta have all returned to top form and are crucial to the team’s current success.

Team News

Alexander Medina’s squad is missing just one player: Paraguayan left-back Santiago Arzamendia, who suffered an ACL injury in December and is not expected to return until late July.

Defensively, Estudiantes have been solid, achieving four clean sheets in their last eight home fixtures while conceding only seven goals in 15 matches of the Argentine Championship.

On the other hand, Flamengo’s midfielder Erick Pulgar is nearing full recovery from a shoulder injury, and there is optimism regarding his return in the upcoming days.

Lucas Paqueta, enjoying a fine run, is also being assessed due to recent knee discomfort.

Head coach Leonardo Jardim has engaged in squad rotation to keep fitness levels high and may make minor adjustments to the expected starting XI following Tuesday’s training session.

Estudiantes probable starting XI:

Legguard; Meza, Pirez, Palacios, Benedetti; Amondarain, Piovi; Palacios, Farias, Cetre; Cheek

Flamengo probable starting XI:

Rossi; VARELA, Ortiz, Pereira, Lucas; ARAÚJO, Jorginho; Plata, De Arrascaeta, Lino; Pedro

A clash in the Libertadores between a Brazilian and an Argentine side typically tends to generate numerous goal-scoring opportunities—particularly considering Flamengo’s attacking prowess, having netted 19 times in their last seven encounters.

With an average of nearly three goals per game and a cohesive tactical structure, Flamengo are expected to dictate the flow of play in La Plata and achieve a significant victory.