Racing advances to the Libertadores semifinals and awaits Estudiantes or Flamengo

Racing Club are celebrating a historic step forward in the 2025 Copa Libertadores after securing their place in the semifinals with a hard-fought victory over Vélez Sarsfield.

The Avellaneda giants defeated their compatriots 1-0 on Tuesday night at the Estadio Presidente Perón, confirming their 2-0 aggregate triumph and becoming the first team to book a ticket to the last four of South America’s most prestigious competition.

The tie was delicately poised heading into the second leg. Racing had taken a slim advantage from the first leg in Buenos Aires thanks to Adrian Martínez’s 53rd-minute goal, which arrived just ten minutes after Vélez’s Lisandro Magallán was sent off. That red card tilted the balance of the contest, leaving Vélez chasing the game and giving Racing an edge that proved crucial. Even so, with only a single goal separating the two sides, everything remained at stake in Avellaneda.

On Tuesday, the return match unfolded with the tension and intensity that only a Libertadores knockout tie can bring. Vélez came into the game knowing they needed at least one goal to stay alive and pressed high in the opening phases, forcing Racing to remain disciplined in defense. The hosts, however, absorbed the pressure, relying on the composure of their back line and the energy of their midfield to gradually take control. The crowd more than 40,000 strong played its part, turning the Estadio Presidente Perón into a cauldron of noise, pushing their team forward with chants that echoed their long wait for continental glory.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 82nd minute. With the game finely balanced and tensions rising, Santiago Solari delivered the decisive moment. Finding space on the flank, the winger made a clever run into the box, timed his touch perfectly, and slotted the ball past the Vélez goalkeeper. The stadium erupted in celebration, knowing that the late strike had effectively sealed Racing’s progression. Solari’s goal wasn’t just about advancing to the semifinals it symbolized the determination and composure of a team that has learned how to manage tight knockout situations.

For Racing, the achievement carries profound historical weight. The club, nicknamed “La Academia,” were once continental champions, lifting the Libertadores in 1967. That triumph remains their only title in the competition, and since then, generations of supporters have dreamed of seeing their team back on the biggest stage. Nearly six decades later, Racing now find themselves just two games away from returning to the final. The drought has added an extra layer of emotion to this campaign, with fans seeing the current squad as the one capable of ending a long exile from the summit of South American football.

Coach Gustavo Costas has built a side that thrives on defensive organization while still carrying a cutting edge in attack. Across both legs against Vélez, Racing showed maturity, patience, and resilience. They didn’t produce a flood of goals, but they didn’t need to they knew how to strike at the right moments, and how to protect their lead when required. Such qualities are essential in the Libertadores, where small details often determine who advances.

Vélez, meanwhile, leave the competition with frustration. A club with its own proud history Libertadores winners in 1994 Vélez had ambitions of progressing deeper into the tournament. Their inability to recover from Magallán’s dismissal in the first leg and their struggles to break Racing’s defensive lines proved costly. For their fans, the elimination stings even more because it came at the hands of a domestic rival.

Racing’s focus now shifts to discovering their semifinal opponent. That will be decided on Thursday, when Estudiantes host Flamengo. The Brazilians lead the tie 2-1 after the first leg at the Maracanã, but the return match in La Plata promises high drama. If Flamengo progress, Racing will face one of the giants of South American football in a mouthwatering Argentina vs. Brazil clash. If Estudiantes overturn the deficit, it will guarantee an all-Argentine semifinal, setting up another emotionally charged showdown.

Looking further ahead, the ultimate goal is clear. The 2025 Copa Libertadores final is scheduled for November 29 at the Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru. For Racing supporters, the idea of seeing La Academia walk out onto that stage for the first time since 1967 is almost too much to dream about yet with every passing game, the dream feels more attainable.

For now, though, Tuesday night’s victory belongs to Racing’s players and fans. They have reminded South America that La Academia are back among the continent’s elite. The roar that greeted Solari’s goal, and the celebrations that followed the final whistle, were not just about reaching the semifinals. They were about reclaiming an identity, about ending decades of waiting, and about believing once again that the Libertadores trophy could return to Avellaneda.