Racing may have found goals hard to find in their opening day league defeat to Rosario Central but they had no such worries on their return to the Copa Libertadores. A thoroughly dominant performance in Venezuela saw Gustavo Bou plunder a hat-trick en route to a 5-0 demolition over Deportivo Táchira.
Defender Luciano Lollo began the rout after twenty minutes when he helped on Bou’s firmly struck free kick. His slight backheel flick deceived goalkeeper, Alan Liebeskind and the ball bobbled through his legs and into the net.
While the first had an element of luck to it, the second was a piece of absolute first-rate football and link up play between Bou and Diego Milito. A succession of quick, one-touch passes was rounded off by an emphatic right footed drive into the top corner by Bou.
Shortly after the break Racing made it three and it was Bou again. This time the centre forward brought down a long punt upfield by Sebastián Saja, before holding off his marker, swivelling and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 yards.
The striker then turned provider as his clipped pass found Diego Milito unmarked in the box and the veteran striker had the composure to calmly stroke the ball past Liebeskind.
All that was left was for Bou to complete his hat-trick and in the 68th minute he did just that. The first two were spectacular and the third was a simple tap in following a sweeping counter attack.
Deportivo Táchira did not provide the sternest of tests but Racing showed why the claimed the Transición title and why they remain a real contender both domestically and in the Libertadores. There will be few better partnerships than Bou and Milito and when the two are in-form they take some stopping.
golazo argentino 