Edgardo Bauza and San Lorenzo were not happy but Racing battled from a goal down to earn themselves the perfect antidote to their clásico defeat last weekend. Gustavo Bou’s, slightly contentious, 90th minute penalty booked La Academia a place in the semi-final and left San Lorenzo now solely focused on the league title.
There was a cup final feel to this Copa Argentina quarter-final with supporters of both sides filling the Estadio Único in La Plata and both sides were looking to bounce back from humiliating clásico defeats at the weekend. A competitive first half saw both goalkeepers worked but it wasn’t until just before the break that the deadlock was broken and in spectacular fashion. Néstor Ortigoza floated a ball into the Racing penalty area and centre-forward, Martín Cauteruccio controlled with his chest before spinning to volley the ball past Sebastián Saja.
Los Cuervos had opportunities in the second half to add a second on the break but with fifteen minutes were punished. Racing attacked down the left but San Lorenzo appeared to have cleared any danger. However, Mauro Cetto’s initial clearance was weak and when Luciano Aued fired the ball back goalwards, Cetto stuck out a toe and deflected the ball past a helpless Sebastián Torrico.
With no extra time in the Copa Argentina the tie looked to be heading straight to penalties but with a minute left of normal time, referee Diego Abal handed the initiative to Racing. A long ball into the box saw Mariano Pavone attempt to hold off Mauro Cetto and Emmanuel Más and as the three jostled for control, Pavone tumbled to the ground. Cetto wagged his finger and initial views suggested there was little in it but Abal spotted Pavone’s shirt being tugged and pointed to the spot. Gustavo Bou stepped up and sent Torrico the wrong way to put Racing into the semi-final. Rosario Central or Estudiantes lie in between La Academia and a place in the final.
golazo argentino 