The penultimate round of the Copa de la Liga group stages included late drama for Racing, River putting seven past Sarmiento, victory for Estudiantes and a Benedetto golazo for Boca against Barracas.
Estudiantes back to winning ways
After being held to a 2-2 draw by Colón in their last Copa de la Liga fixture, Los Pincharratas let no points drop again as they beat Aldosivi at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium.
Manuel Castro put the home side ahead on the 12th minute after a storming run and strike with the outside of the foot.
Martin Palermo’s side were level early in the second half, César Meli with a curling finish that his manager would be proud of.
👊 ¡De arremetida y de pelota parada! Así logramos la victoria en casa ante #Aldosivi para asegurar el primer puesto de la zona. ¡Te dejamos el resumen! 🎥⚽ pic.twitter.com/85hS5GIh7C
— Estudiantes de La Plata (@EdelpOficial) April 30, 2022
Estudiantes finally retook the lead on the 77th minute as Jorge Morel volleyed into the bottom corner. The goal claimed a 2-1 victory for his side and cemented their place at the top of Group B with 28 points.
It was a deserved victory for Ricardo Zielinski side who despite having 47% possession made up for it with 12 shots when Aldosivi had just 5. Estudiantes maintain their place at the top of Group B with 28 points.
Racing leave it late
Racing suffered their first defeat of the season during the week, losing 3-1 at the hands of Peruvian side Melgar in the Copa Sudamericana.
When it came to the Copa de la Liga at the weekend they needed a late goal against Banfield to keep their unbeaten record intact.
El Taladro took the lead on the 56th minute through an own goal by Maico Alejandro Quiroz. However, their hopes of being the first team to beat Racing in the league this season were shattered in injury time. Nery Domínguez heading in from a corner on the 92nd minute.
Despite Tomás Chancalay’s red card La Academia held on to draw 1-1. Fernando Gago’s side would have been relieved they got the late equaliser but given how they had 67% of possession his team could have made it easier for themselves. The result keeps Racing at the top of Group A with 29 points.
¡Final en el Cilindro 🏟️! #Racing igualó 1 a 1 con #Banfield con goles de Nery Domínguez, para el local, y Maximiliano Cuadra, para la visita, por la #Fecha13 de la #CopaBinance 🏆@RacingClub 🆚️ @CAB_oficial pic.twitter.com/nA78VaC7Ij
— Liga Profesional de Fútbol (@LigaAFA) April 30, 2022
River run riot
After a defeat and a draw in their last two Copa de la Liga fixtures, River Plate responded emphatically. A seven-goal rout saw off Sarmiento at the Estadio Eva Perón.
Tomás Pochettino fired in from range to give Los Millonarios the lead on the 34th minute. Before Julián Álvarez doubled their advantage a minute later.
Álvarez then got his second as he turned in Milton Casco’s cross just before half-time. Enzo Fernández slotted home from a tight angle early in the second half.
After a great run by Nicolás de la Cruz, Esequiel Barco made it five on the 60th minute.
Fernández back-heeled his pass to Álvarez who completed his hat-trick with a fine run and shot into the top corner on the 63rd minute.
Julian Alvarez 3rd goal. Hat-trick 🚀 pic.twitter.com/0bOC5x0KJM
— – (@citehvidz) May 1, 2022
Santiago Simón concluded the 7-0 drubbing as he passed the ball in of the post on the 70th minute.
Marcelo Gallardo’s side had an impressive 71% possession, 36 shots and 631 passes.
River remain in second place in group A with 26 points.
Benedetto double in Boca win
After a 2-0 defeat by Brazilian side Corinthians in the Copa Libertadores during the week, Boca Juniors put that behind them with a victory over Barracas Central.
Guillermo Fernández laid it on a plate for Darío Benedetto to score in just the 2nd minute.
Neri Bandiera thought he had equalled on the 7th minute but VAR ruled his goal out for offside. Just before half-time VAR ruled out another goal this time Benedetto’s because of a foul in the build up.
Pega esse GOLAÇO do Benedetto no Campeonato Argentino. pic.twitter.com/aMDLux2LJn
— FutebolNews (@realfutebolnews) April 30, 2022
Benedetto’s spectacular flying volley doubled his teams’ advantage on the 60th minute. A golazo which has to be a contender for goal of the season.
The game finished 2-0. It was a deserved win for Sebastián Battaglia’s side who had 67% possession and a passing accuracy of 87%.
The result puts Boca in 2nd place in Group B behind Estudiantes with 24 points.
