No longer the interim manager Leandro Benítez made his official start as Estudiantes boss on Tuesday evening and although it came against Primera C oppoonents Central Córdoba it could barely have gone better.
The Copa Argentina has already seen plenty of upsets but El Pincha ensured that they didn’t add to the list with a routine 4-0 win in Sarandí.
Jonatan Schunke’s fine header gave Estudiantes an early lead and the result never looked in doubt from then on.
Despite having a goal chalked off for offside and regularly threatening from corners, Benítez’s side had to wait until the 53rd minute to double the lead, Fernando Zuqui cleverly lofting the ball into the net.
Lucas Rodríguez dashed in behind to cutely chip the ball over goalkeeper Juan Marcelo Ojeda and late on Mariano Pavone rifled in a fourth.
Such was the gulf in quality it was difficult to learn too much about Estudiantes ahead of this season but El Pincha will be confident of going a little further in the Copa with another Primera C club, Luján next up in the last 32.
Estudiantes 4 – 0 Central Córdoba
Earlier in Junín, Atlético de Rafaela also had no problem progressing with a 4-1 win against Defensores de Belgrano.
However, despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise Defensores will look back on several missed chances. The Primera B club wasted three golden opportunities to open the scoring in the opening minutes but instead found themselves behind after ten minutes when Enzo Copetti headed in.
Those misses were made to look even more costly minutes later when Matías Quiroga doubled the lead and although Leandro Montagnoli bundled a goal back before the break, Abel Masuero restoring the lead after the restart killed off El Dragón.
Angelo Martino wrapped it up late on with a fourth and Atlético will now face either Lanús or Douglas Haig.
