Without question the weekend’s biggest match took place on Saturday evening in Bajo Flores and saw the two main rivals to Boca Juniors’ title challenge face off, desperate to stay on the heels of the league leaders and keep their own hopes alive. Rosario Central arrived to the Nuevo Gasómetro in fine form, knowing that victory against San Lorenzo, and a final day clash with Boca, could give them a very real shot at the title, while the home side were aware that with Boca playing Crucero del Norte on Sunday, another other than victory would almost certainly see Los Xeniezes take an almost unassailable lead with three matches to go.
With so much at stake a fiercely contested game was expected but it took only 13 seconds for Los Cuervos to take a shock lead when Héctor Villalba scored virtually from kick-off. Somewhat fortuitously, Fernando Elizari played a neat one-two off referee, Germán Delfino to run at the Central defence and when he slipped in Villalba, the youngster made no mistake in slotting the ball past Mauricio Caranta.
A more open first-half than expected saw both sides fashion opportunities but it was just after the half hour mark when Central found an equaliser. The league’s leading scorer, Marco Ruben dashed in behind the San Lorenzo defence and when Mario Yepes clumsily attempted to pull him back, the centre-forward ensured that Delfino could not miss it. For the second time, Delfino was at the centre of discussion but despite the San Lorenzo protestations, the decision was clear. Ruben fired past Sebastián Torrico to equalise and with the scores level, both sides knew that a winner was vital.
Central emerged from half-time on top and after a couple of near misses, Ruben struck again. Franco Cervi’s low left-wing cross was helped into the path of Ruben by strike partner, Marcelo Larrondo and the 28-year-old slammed the ball into the bottom corner for his 20th goal of the season. Victory away to San Lorenzo would signify a huge step towards lifting the Primera trophy but Eduardo Coudet’s side needed to hold out for a further 25 minutes.
As it was Central could not protect their lead for much more than five minutes as some sloppy defending by Yeimar Gómez Andrade allowed Emmanuel Más to pull the ball back for Sebastián Blanco to slide in a simple second.
Boca Juniors’ players would no doubt have been wishing for full-time as San Lorenzo and Central pushed to find a winner but when Germán Delfino brought the 90 minutes to an end it was Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s league leaders who were celebrating. The draw leaves San Lorenzo three points and Central five behind Boca, with an almost guaranteed further three points to be added when Crucero del Norte visit La Bombonera on Sunday. Unfortunately for Central by the time Boca visit the Gigante on the final day, it is likely that the title will already be decided.
golazo argentino 