Focus might be on the international break but that hasn’t stopped the Copa Argentina moving along and on Thursday evening Estudiantes and Rosario Central booked their last 16 spots after tense penalty wins.
With no shortage of upsets in this year’s cup, Estudiantes needed to be mindful of Primera C club Luján and were it not for the lower league side choking at the penalty spot, El Pincha could have been the latest victim.
Leandro Benítez named a strong side in Sarandí but aside from two glorious headed chances wasted from close range, Estudiantes struggled to break down a determined Luján.
All Luján’s work was eventually undone by missed penalties and as Jonathan Schunke slotted in Estudiantes’ fourth the tie was won. El Pincha will face either San Lorenzo or Colón in the next round.
Estudiantes 0 – 0 Luján (4-1 on pens)
Later in Lanús, Rosario Central followed suit with victory over Talleres after a goalless draw.
Little between the two Superliga clubs yet another tie was decided at the penalty spot and with Central perfect with the execution all it took was Mauro Ortíz’s effort to be saved by Jeremías Ledesma for Talleres to go out.
Defeat to Racing last weekend put an end to Central’s tremendous start to the season under Edgardo Bauza but rebounding with a cup win, El Canalla now face Almagro for a place in the quarter finals.
