Sunday: San Lorenzo maintain pressure at the top with victory over Racing and River salvage a draw after Aguirre’s thunderous strike almost wins it for Lanús (VIDEO)
Just days after Racing had somewhat contentiously knocked San Lorenzo out of the Copa Argentina in La Plata, the two sides met again in the Nuevo Gasómetro with Los Cuervos knowing that another defeat would most likely end their title hopes. Another fiercely contested battle ensued but crucially for the home side, Emmanuel Más poked in a late winner and they closed back to within two points of Boca Juniors at the top of the table.
San Lorenzo defender, Mauro Cetto, who endured a difficult evening in the cup, redeemed himself after 20 minutes when he stooped to head El Ciclón in front after Martín Cauteruccio’s well struck free-kick came back off the crossbar but Racing remained a constant threat. With the visitors pushing further forward in the second half, San Lorenzo were looking to end the contest on the break but found themselves pegged back in the 77th minute when Iván Pillud thumped in a fabulous long range half-volley.
La Academia had barely finished celebrating getting back on level terms though when Argentina defender Emmanuel Más sneaked up from left-back to poke Cauteruccio’s low cross past Sebastián Saja. Racing piled forward once again and thought they should have had a late penalty for handball but, unlike in the Copa Argentina, their appeals were waved away. With five matches remaining, San Lorenzo look set to ensure that the title race with Boca will go to the wire.
Earlier in the Monumental, River Plate could only manage a draw against Lanús and after taking just five points from the last eighteen available, Marcelo Gallardo has seen his title hopes evaporate. River dominated possession but struggled to break down a resolute Lanús side, content to try and hit River on the counter. Both sides had fasioned chances but in first-half stoppage time, Nicolás Aguirre stunned everyone in the stadium with a sensational strike from close to 40 yards. Marcelo Barovero, like most in attendance, would have thought the free-kick was too far out to directly threaten goal but the midfielder unleashed a venemous strike that appeared to gather pace all the way into the back of the net.
River pressed on in the second half as Lanús continued to defend in numbers and eventually found an equaliser just after the hour mark. Leonardo Pisculichi delivered a set-piece with his left foot and substitute, Rodrigo Mora volleyed the ball past Fernando Monetti unchallenged.
Pisculichi tested Monetti with another free-kick but River failed to really open up their visitors and instead had to settle for just a point. Since lifting the Copa Libertadores, River have certainly looked a shadow of themselves and it has cost them a chance of lifting the league title.
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