# Estudiantes advances to Copa Libertadores quarter-finals > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-reserve-league-playoff-race > Updated: 2026-08-20T23:38:00.000Z. Sources: 158. Developments: 14. Estudiantes de La Plata has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 Copa Libertadores following a 3-0 victory over Universidad Católica in the second leg in Santiago, Chile. This result gives the Argentine side a 4-1 aggregate win after their initial 1-1 draw. Joaquín Correa opened the scoring in the 43rd or 44th minute with a strike from outside the area. In the second half, Guido Carrillo secured the win with two goals, scoring with a header in the 53rd minute and again in the 83rd minute. The Chilean side struggled in the absence of key players, including Fernando Zampedri, who was suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Following the victory, Estudiantes midfielder Ezequiel Piovi stated that the team’s recent performance has restored their confidence and confirmed the progress of their ongoing tactical process. Managed by Alexander Medina, Estudiantes now awaits the winner of the series between Corinthians and Rosario Central to determine their opponent in the next stage. Separately, Universidad Católica is facing a potential disciplinary probe from the ANFP. The club has been summoned to appear before the Disciplinary Tribunal following a complaint regarding the late accreditation of VAT (IVA) payments for June. The club maintains that the payment was made on the first available business day following the deadline, noting that the Internal Revenue Service does not always reflect transactions immediately. ## Claims - Marcos Acuña, Mauro Arambarri, Aníbal Moreno and Ángel Correa are injured and unavailable for the upcoming match. (disputed by 4 sources) - River coach Eduardo Coudet may include forward Ángel Correa in the starting lineup for the match. (disputed by 3 sources) - River Plate lost 1-0 to Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata on 29 July 2026 at Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Eduardo Coudet is the head coach of River Plate. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Alexis Steimbach scored the only goal for Gimnasia. (corroborated by 8 sources) - River Plate suffered four consecutive defeats in official AFA competitions in 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - River Plate's expected starting lineup includes goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán, defenders Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Nicolás Otamendi and Marcos Acuña. (corroborated by 6 sources) - River Plate visited Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata on 29 July 2026 for the second date of the Torneo Clausura. (corroborated by 5 sources) - River Plate’s next league match is against Rosario Central. (corroborated by 5 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Universidad Católica faces disciplinary probe and Copa Libertadores exit Universidad Católica faces a potential points deduction due to a VAT accreditation dispute, while Estudiantes secured a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal spot after defeating the Chilean club. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/universidad-catlica-faces-disciplinary-probe-and-copa-libertadores-exit ### 2026-08-18: Estudiantes de La Plata advances to Copa Libertadores quarterfinals Estudiantes de La Plata defeated Universidad Católica 3-0 (4-1 aggregate) to advance to the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/universidad-catlica-hosts-estudiantes-de-la-plata-in-libertadores-knockout ### 2026-08-16: Copa Libertadores: Estudiantes and Platense face decisive second legs Copa Libertadores round of 16 second-leg matches feature Estudiantes de La Plata visiting Universidad Católica and Coquimbo Unido hosting Platense following 1-1 draws in the first legs. 40 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/estudiantes-de-la-plata-defeats-gimnasia-4-0-in-clsico-platense ### 2026-08-12: Argentine football clubs face internal crises and fan tension San Lorenzo defeated Unión 1-0 amid fan protests and barra brava visits, while River Plate faces a crisis following six straight losses, looking to Thiago Almada for a turnaround against Argentinos Juniors. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/river-plate-seeks-recovery-in-annual-table-ahead-of-argentinos-juniors-match ### 2026-08-02: Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata beats Aldosivi 2-1 in Mar del Plata Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata beat Aldosivi 2‑1 in Mar del Plata, moving to third in Zone B; Aldosivi stays in relegation zone. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gimnasia-beats-aldosivi-2-0-in-mar-del-plata-boosts-playoff-hopes ### 2026-08-02: Atlético Tucumán and River Plate reshape squads amid injuries and player releases Atlético Tucumán adds three signings to cover key injuries, while River Plate confines 15 players to a “container” training area, with nine still there, amid a squad crisis. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/atltico-tucumn-and-river-plate-reshape-squads-amid-injuries-and-player-releases ### 2026-07-31: River Plate faces crisis ahead of decisive match vs Rosario Central River Plate, mired in a four‑game losing streak and key injuries, faces a crucial home match against Rosario Central on 2 Aug 2026 that could decide coach Eduardo Coudet’s future, while also handling player out 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/river-plate-sinks-deeper-into-crisis-after-fourth-straight-loss ### 2026-07-28: River Plate 1-0 defeat to Gimnasia leaves three players injured River Plate fell 1‑0 to Gimnasia on 29 July 2026, with Alexis Steimbach scoring. Injuries to Acuña, Correa and Arambarri were reported, and coach Coudet said the team has no time nor margin. 95 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/river-plate-vs-gimnasia-la-plata-clash-scheduled-for-second-clausura-round ### 2026-07-27: Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata loses 2-0 as Libertad secures 1-0 win in Clausura openings Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata lost 2‑0 to Unión in Argentina, while Libertad beat Olimpia 1‑0 in Paraguay, both in opening Clausura matches. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gimnasia-y-esgrima-la-plata-loses-2-0-as-libertad-secures-1-0-win-in-clausura-openings ### 2026-07-15: Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata sets lineup for Clausura debut Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata prepares a new lineup for the Clausura opener and draws 0‑0 with Unión in coach Hernán Lisi’s debut. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/draws-in-chiles-tercera-divisin-b-and-argentinas-torneo-clausura-proyeccin ### 2026-07-06: Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata beats Dynamo Makhachkala and draws with Zenit in Russia Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata beat Dynamo Makhachkala 3‑1 and drew 1‑1 with Zenit in Russian pre‑season friendlies, earning a strong impression ahead of their domestic campaign. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gimnasia-y-esgrima-la-plata-beats-dynamo-makhachkala-and-draws-with-zenit-in-russia ### 2026-06-14: Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata women's futsal wins 2-0 over San Lorenzo Gimnasia women's futsal beat San Lorenzo 2-0, while the men's team fell 2-1 to Franja de Oro. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gimnasia-y-esgrima-la-plata-womens-futsal-wins-2-0-over-san-lorenzo ### 2026-06-09: Godoy Cruz, Independiente win reserve matches in Argentine league Godoy Cruz beat Gimnasia La Plata 2‑0 and Independiente thrashed Lanús 4‑0 in Argentine reserve league matches, enhancing both teams' playoff hopes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/godoy-cruz-and-independiente-reserve-teams-secure-convincing-wins-in-argentine-proyeccin-apertura ### 2026-06-07: Gimnasia La Plata reserves fall 2-0 to Godoy Cruz, playoff hopes fade Gimnasia La Plata reserves lost 2-0 to Godoy Cruz at Bosque, leaving them virtually out of playoff contention. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gimnasia-la-plata-reserves-fall-2-0-to-godoy-cruz-playoff-hopes-fade --- Cite as: Estudiantes advances to Copa Libertadores quarter-finals. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/argentina-reserve-league-playoff-race