Estudiantes beat Racing on penalties to claim Argentine Clausura title

SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, Argentina, Dec 13 : Estudiantes de La Plata goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's heroics inspired his side to a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Racing Club in the Argentine Torneo Clausura final at the Estadio Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero on Saturday.

The win sealed a first title for Estudiantes since they won the 2010 Apertura and will see them face this year's Apertura champions Platense in next weekend's Champions Trophy.

"This team is incredible," Uruguayan Muslera said.

"I have no words to describe the emotion and joy I feel now for having contributed to getting here when at one point we weren't close."

TEMPERS FLARE

Tempers flared in the second half after Racing's Adrian Martinez committed a heavy foul on Santiago Nunez, sparking protests from the Estudiantes players and calls for a red card.

However, he escaped with a yellow card, a decision met with jeers from sections of the crowd.

The 57th minute brought some nervous moments for Racing as goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses collided with Guido Carrillo during a corner and required medical treatment twice before being declared fit to continue.

The breakthrough came 10 minutes from time when a miscommunication in Estudiantes' defence allowed Martinez to pounce, drilling the ball past Muslera to spark wild celebrations among the Racing supporters.

Estudiantes fought back in added time, with Carrillo directing a header on target following a set piece to level the match and send the encounter to extra time.

"It's an inexplicable emotion. This is the reward for supporting a club that always bounces back, even when it seems to be down and out," said Carrillo, who missed a string of key games for Estudiantes due to a four-match suspension for a dangerous