Boca Juniors may well end up lifting the Torneo 2015 trophy but Racing ensured that they wouldn’t have the pleasure of doing so in the Cilindro de Avellaneda. Aside from denying their rivals the chance to celebrate the title in their own ground, Racing still have the chance of finishing second and qualifying for the Copa Libertadores automatically and so Sunday’s night’s ‘Big Five’ clash had a lot at stake – and it did not disappoint.
Both sides attacked from kick off and a minute after Nicolás Lodeiro could have given Boca the lead, Marcos Acuña headed Iván Pillud’s drilled cross past Agustín Orión to give La Academia a fifth minute lead. The match continued to go from end to end and before too long, Boca were back on level terms. Carlos Tevez’s clever backheel, freed Cristián Erbes and with Sebastián Saja charging out to narrow the angle, the Boca midfielder clipped the ball across goal for Jonathan Calleri to nod the ball into the empty net.
Luciano Lollo almost provided an instant response from Racing but his header came back off the crossbar and then with half an hour on the clock the game’s major talking point took place. Oscar Romero’s goal-bound shot was blocked by Daniel Díaz, first with his head and then with his arm, and Patricio Loustau immediately pointed to the spot. Boca were furious but replays appeared to support the referee and in spite of their protestations, Gustavo Bou stepped up to slot Racing back in front.
Chasing the game with ten men was never going to be easy but Boca still possessed a threat until Cristián Erbes joined Díaz in the dressing room. Down to nine, the match was slipping away from Boca and when Gastón Díaz was pulled back by Fernando Tobio for the night’s second penalty, Saja was on hand to make victory certain.
Victory against Tigre in La Bombonera will still crown Boca as champions and with the prospect of facing Rosario Central on the final day, Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side will be desperate to not let another opportunity slip.
golazo argentino 