Still unbeaten but more importantly still winless in this year’s Libertadores, Huracán needed a win last night in Parque Patricios and although the visitors were Cruzeiro, El Globo earned the decisive win that leaves them with their qualification in their own hands. Led by the iconic Ramón ‘Wanchope’ Ábila, Huracán enjoyed a 3-1 win that means victory over Venezuelan side Mineros de Guayana in the final group game will ensure their progress to the knockout stages.
The opening goal had an element of good fortune about it given that there was a foul not given and Ábila appeared offside when he was played through on goal. However, Wanchope remained composed and took his time in sidestepping goalkeeper Fábio and clipping the ball into the net. Wary not to lose their advantage as happened against Universitario, Ábila doubled it. Edson Puch did well down the right and his cut back was volleyed in by Wanchope to give some breathing space. Leandro Damião potentially made things nervy when he slotted home a penalty after an hour but almost immediately Federico Mancinelli reestablished the two-goal lead with a header. El Globo held on for the win and although they remain in third in the group a final day meeting against winless Mineros, where a victory will see them through, sees them in a strong position.
Later in Avellaneda, Racing got the win that was expected over Venezuelan side Deportivo Táchira but were unexpectedly made to work much harder for the three points and top spot in group eight. Táchira had not won a match in this year’s Libertadores but through two fine individual goals from José Alí Meza they looked to cause an upset in the Cilindro. Diego Milito pulled a goal back and Gustavo Bou volleyed Racing level with twenty minutes remaining. Frustratingly it appeared to be heading for a draw but in injury time Brian Fernández’s shot from the edge of the penalty area slipped through the grasp of Jose Contreras and trickled into the goal for a group winning victory. Diego Cocca’s side top the group with Paraguayan side Guaraní joining them in the next phase.
golazo argentino 