Lucas Pratto opens the scoring in last night’s emphatic victory over Newell’s

The two main protagonists in Argentinian football in recent years clashed once again last night in Liniers and it was the hosts, Velez Sarsfield who were left celebrating as they crushed their rivals, Newell’s Old Boys 3-0. It was a welcome return to form for Velez against a Newell’s side hotly tipped to retain the championship. The influential Lucas Pratto opened the scoring with a penalty before second half substitute, Ramiro Caseres added a late brace. READ MORE AND SEE THE GOALS….

Velez produced their best performance in some time to sweep aside Newell’s and move within 2 points of the league leaders. The opening goal came just after the half hour mark when Newell’s defender, Milton Casco was penalised for handling a cross from the right. Lucas Pratto stepped up and duly dispatched the penalty.

The home side were dominant in the second half and eventually doubled their lead. Once again it was Pratto who was key. He twisted away from his marker to release Ramiro Caseres and he was able to steer the ball under the on-rushing Nahuel Guzman. Minutes later, Newell’s were reduced to 10 men when Pablo Perez was shown a red card for a late challenge, perhaps a little harshly in my opinion.

However, in the name of fairness, Velez captain, Fabian Cubero then got himself sent off for an inexplicable punch to the back of Milton Casco. It made no difference to the outcome, as with 5 minutes remaining, Pratto made some space in the box and unleashed a fierce shot straight at Guzman. The power was obviously too much to handle as he fumbled the ball straight into the path of Caseres who had the simple task of tapping in the rebound.

Here are the 3 goals – the videos separately was the best option I could find.