This year’s Copa Argentina is no stranger to shocks but never before in the tournament’s history has a side from Argentina’s fifth tier pulled off a victory against a top flight club. That was until Wednesday evening* when General Lamadrid, a side only just promoted to the Primera C, secured victory over Banfield to book a place in the last 32.
Despite Banfield being wary of the upset after so many shocks already and the tie coming at this stage in preseason, Julio Cesar Falcioni’s side looked in good shape when Michael López slid in an opening goal after five minutes.
Any hopes of frustrating Banfield and keeping things tight for Lamadrid went immediately out the window but the minnows were soon level after Jorge Rodríguez clumsily put the ball into his own net.
With Darío Cvitanich and Luciano Luis Gómez forced off injured inside the first half an hour, Banfield struggled and unable to find a winner the tie went to penalties.
Both sides endeavoured to lose it from the spot but after yet another Banfield miss, Lamadrid goalkeeper Néstor Acosta stepped up to slot in the winner.
The Primera C side will now face Platense in the next round with a potential last 16 clash against River Plate a distinct possibility for the winner.
* Lamadrid were fifth tier last season but begin this season in Argentina’s fourth tier, the Primera C.
