Racing made the very short trip to the Estadio Libertadores de América as one of the form teams in the Primera and were still talking about lifting the league title in the build-up to a hotly anticipated clásico de Avellaneda. Having previously dispatched Gimnasia with ease for a fourth-straight win and Diego Milito and Gustavo Bou looking in good shape, many had predicted Racing would end their long wait for victory in the home of their bitter rivals. Independiente had not lost in the league since the last time the two sides met in the Cilindro back in May but were still leaking goals and had recorded three consecutive draws prior to the visit of the neighbours.
All this quickly went out the window however, and it was Mauricio Pellegrino’s side that began with the greater intensity. Neither side had really carved out a clear opening but it was Independiente that took the lead just after the half hour mark when Martín Benítez finished off a brisk passing move that had cut Racing open.
Two minutes later and the match well and truly tilted in favour of the home side after Marcos Acuña foolishly threw an elbow into the midriff of Jesús Méndez as the two tussled for a ball in midfield. Méndez ensured that referee Patricio Loustau could not miss it and left him little option but to brandish a red card. Independiente held the lead into the break but with a man advantage smelled blood.
Despite playing with ten, Racing maintained in the match and although Diego Rodríguez was rarely called upon, there were a couple of uncertain moments in the Independiente defence. Sebastián Saja ensured that the visitors remained in the contest for as long as possible and produced an unbelievable stop to prevent Benítez scoring his second.
Eventually, El Rojo’s pressure told and it was Jesús Méndez who made sure of victory. Benítez was fouled right on the edge of the Racing penalty area and the 31-year-old midfielder produced a wonderful strike to beat Saja and double the lead. Following the death of his brother earlier in the year, the goal reduced Méndez to tears and no doubt he was joined by some of the supporters in the stadium having watched Racing lift the Torneo Transición last year.
Diego Vera headed a third to wrap up a comprehensive clásico victory and potentially end any hopes Racing had of catching San Lorenzo and Boca Juniors. Independiente are now eleven without defeat and if they can replicate the type of intensity that they produced today then they can finish the season with great momentum.
golazo argentino 