The Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana returned last week, with mixed results for the Argentine sides. Nevertheless, the Copa de La Liga marches on and into week nine.
Late goal keeps Racing’s unbeaten run intact
Racing took their league form into the Copa Sudamericana during the week defeating Uruguayan side River Plate 1-0. When it came to the weekend’s league action, there was late drama in their match against Platense which kept their impressive run of seven victories in a row intact.
Racing dominated the match possession wise with 71% but when it came to shots it was fairly even with both sides having just 4 on target.
The deadlock was broken in added time with the help of VAR the referee deemed Kevin Andrade to have handled the ball in the box. Edwin Cardona made no mistake from the spot giving La Academia the 1-0 victory in the 98th minute.
✅ ¡Final del partido! ⚽
¡GANÓ #RACING!⚽💙
Con un gol de penal marcado por Cardona sobre el final del juego, el equipo logró su séptimo triunfo seguido y sigue como único lider e invicto en la Copa de la Liga 💪👏#RacingVsPlatense #CopaLPF #VamosRacing #TodosJuntos pic.twitter.com/j9cSpiwAH7
— Racing Club (@RacingClub) April 10, 2022
Fernando Gago’s unbeaten side now have 21 points at the top of Group A.
Boca still not on song
In the Copa Libertadores Boca Juniors suffered an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Colombian side Deportivo Cali. They didn’t respond well when it came to league action, as they drew 0-0 with Vélez Sarsfield.
In a match with few clear cut chances, Sebastián Battaglia’s side failed to make the most of their 64% possession. Since their Superclásico win, Xeneizes are without a victory – with two draws and one defeat.
River win thriller against Argentinos
Unlike Boca, River Plate did manage a win in their opening game of the Copa Libertadores, beating Peruvian side Alianza Lima 1-0. Their form carried into the Liga, in an enthralling encounter with Argentinos Juniors.
Los Millonarios burst out of the blocks with Matías Suárez chipping Federico Lanzillota in the 6th minute to take the lead. The advantage was soon doubled as Enzo Fernández strike from range squirmed under Lanzillota.
5’ PT | GOL DE #River ⚪️🔴⚪️
Con un golazo, Matías Suárez abrió el marcador para el Millonario. 1-0 pic.twitter.com/iQTJKZKnJ1
— Popular (@populardiario) April 10, 2022
Argentinos got one back just before half-time when Mariano Bíttolo cross was headed in by Gabriel Ávalos. They were level on the 50th minute as Lucas Villalba volleyed past Franco Armani.
However, El Bicho’s luck was soon to take a turn for the worse as Miguel Ángel Torrén was sent off for a second yellow card after hand-balling Julián Álvarez’s shot. The resulting penalty was turned in by Juan Fernando Quintero.
The 4-2 victory was then sealed on the 89th minute as Marcelo Herrera placed the ball past Lanzillota. The statistics portrayed a very even game with River just edging the possession with 51% and the shots with 16 to Argentinos’s 12.
Marcelo Gallardo’s side have now won all three of their matches since the Superclásico.
Estudiantes claim top spot
Ricardo Zielinski’s side had beaten Vélez Sarsfield 4-1 in the Copa Libertadores during the week and they kept their goalscoring form going for the visit of Central Córdoba in the Copa de la Liga.
Los Pincharratas took the lead the 21st minute; Fernando Zuqui’s pass found Mauro Boselli who rounded Cristopher Toselli and passed the ball into the net.
The lead was doubled as Zuqui once again assisted Boselli. This time his accurate free-kick found the forward who sent his free header into the net.
Boselli then became the provider as he knocked Manuel Castro’s cross back across goal for Leandro Díaz to turn in.
On the 65th minute Boselli then completed his hat-trick as he fired the ball in after a quick one-two with Díaz. A goal which put Boselli top of the goalscoring charts in the Copa de la Liga this season with seven.
🌟 @mauroboselli HAT-TRICK ⚽🏠 pic.twitter.com/pcSuZGkyoc
— Estudiantes de La Plata (@EdelpOficial) April 10, 2022
Gustavo Del Prete who slid the ball into the net to complete the 5-0 rout. The result places Estudiantes at the top of Group B with 18 points.
Despite the dominant scoreline it was El Ferroviario who had more possession with 53% but Estudiantes more than made the most of what they had and when it came to shots they had 17 shots with 8 on target to Central Córdoba’s 8 with just 1 on target.
