Thumbs up for Lucas Pratto’s match winning performance for Velez

A wonder strike and an injury time penalty from Lucas Pratto ensured Velez Sarsfield started their Torneo Campaign with 3 points. Tigre perhaps deserved more and if wasn’t for some wasteful finishing would have got that. Neither side were particularly happy with the officials but Velez will be relieved with the 2-1 scoreline. Earlier, in Floresta, All Boys were denied an opening day victory thanks to Diego Vera’s fabulous late strike for Atletico Rafaela. Later, Colon and Racing drew 1-1 in Santa Fe. Bruno Zuculini gave Racing an early lead after 2 minutes but it was cancelled out by Jacobo Mansilla in the 25th minute and remained that way. SEE ALL THE GOALS HERE….

ALL BOYS  1 – 1  ATLETICO RAFAELA

Mauro Matos headed All Boys in front in the first half, taking advantage of some rather suspect goalkeeping from Esteban Conde in the Rafaela goal. That looked like it was going to be the difference until the 87th minute when Diego Vera took a touch on the edge of the box before rifling his half volley into the corner, in the process depriving new All Boys manager, Julio Cesar Falcioni a debut victory.

TIGRE  1 – 2  VELEZ SARSFIELD

Velez were unable to field new signing, Mauro Zarate as his paperwork with the AFA was still not completed but they found a different match winner in the form of Lucas Pratto. A pretty even affair, both sides had missed some glorious chances in the first half came to life after 53 minutes when Pratto scored the goal of the weekend so far. His curling shot from outside the box was too much for Javier Garcia, in the Tigre goal.
However, the lead didn’t last long as less than 10 minutes later Tigre were awarded a fairly contentious penalty. A slight shove by Velez defender, Juan Sabia prompted new signing, Jose Sand to collapse in a heap. Velez were outraged resulting in Manager, Ricardo Gareca to be sent to the stands but it mattered little as Gaston Diaz fired Tigre level.
Tigre then probably had the better chances to win it but their failure to do so was punished in injury time. Ramiro Caseres was adjudged to have been tripped as he chased a ball over the top and Pratto stepped up to ensure the victory.

COLON  1 – 1  RACING

Racing are somewhat of a bogey-team for Colon, having been beaten the previous 3 occasions the sides have met in Santa Fe, and it looked as though the hoodoo would continue when Bruno Zuculini’s diving header put Racing ahead after just 2 minutes. However, Colon were not discouraged and were level after 25 minutes when Jacobo Mansilla rose at the back post to nod him a deep cross from the right.
The game stayed that way as neither side looked to have the quality to deserve the victory. Racing’s young side will need to improve if they have genuine title aspirations and they will be concerned to have seen striker, Luciano Vietto limp off with an ankle injury in the second half.