Uruguayan forward Mauro Mendez converted the decisive spot kick as Estudiantes advanced to the final of Argentina’s Primera Division on Tuesday by beating Boca Juniors on penalties.
Miguel Merentiel put Boca ahead at Mario Kempes stadium in Cordoba with a 41st-minute strike after Luis Advincula’s cross.
But the momentum swung following the dismissal of Cristian Lema, who received a second yellow card for hacking down Tiago Palacios inside the penalty area.
Colombian winger Edwuin Cetre converted the resultant spot kick to force the match into a shootout.
Edinson Cavani, Nicolas Figal and Merentiel missed their respective penalty attempts while Eros Mancuso, Guido Carrillo and Mendez held their nerve for Estudiantes.
“We were patient when we needed to be and showed a lot of mental strength,” Estudiantes manager Eduardo Dominguez said.
“In the second half we saw a team with ambition that wants to fight for titles and one that deserves to be in this final.”The result means Estudiantes will meet Velez Sarsfield in the title decider, to be played at Estadio Unico in Santiago del Estero on Sunday.
