The prospect of a Clásico Rosarino in the Copa Argentina quarter final is a tantalising one and Newell’s Old Boys have done their part by defeating Atlético Tucumán in the last 16.
There have been no shortage of penalty shootouts in this year’s tournament and after a goalless draw in Temperley, Newell’s became the first side to seal a quarter final place.
Both sides had chances with Atlético wasting openings in the first half but Newell’s seeing the better of it after the break. Luis Leal was caught by a surprise and scuffed a close range open goal while Lisandro Cabrera, Mauro Formica and Víctor Figueroa all forced Cristian Lucchetti into saves.
However, without a goal, it was decided at the spot. Newell’s were perfect and so when Alan Aguerre saved from Ricardo Noir it was left to Stefano Callegari to tuck in the winner. Fierce rivals Rosario Central still need to get past Almagro in the last 16 but the clásico awaits in the quarter final.
Newell’s Old Boys 0 – 0 Atlético Tucumán (5-3 on pens)
A day earlier, San Lorenzo and Boca Juniors booked their places in the last 16 but both were made to work very hard for victories.
In Rosario on Friday evening, San Lorenzo were required to come from two-down and should have won it in normal time but instead had to come through penalties to beat Colón.
Argentina under-20 international Tomás Chancalay crossed for Nicolás Leguizamón to give Colón an early lead and when Matías Fritzler headed a second after 64 minutes, El Sabalero looked to be heading into the next round.
The two-goal advantage didn’t last long and a fine Nicolás Reneiro header pulled one back before the youngster repeated the trick fifteen minutes from time.
San Lorenzo had the chance to win it but Nicolás Blandi saw a late penalty saved and so it was left to Nicolás Navarro to be the hero. The goalkeeper saved twice before Leguizamón missed the target allowing Alexis Castro to score the winner.
A little earlier in Formosa, Boca Juniors defeated San Martín de Tucumán but the 2-0 scoreline doesn’t quite tell the full picture.
The Superliga champions, without Cristian Pavón and Wilmar Barrios on international duty, still fielded a strong side but were second best for large parts against San Martín.
Esteban Andrada kept Boca level and late on a deflected Edwin Cardona strike finally broke the deadlock. While Andrada has ensured San Martín couldn’t find a way through, his opposite number Ignacio Arce could probably have done better after getting a hand on Cardona’s opener.
However, the goal was enough to open the game and it was sealed by a Ramón Ábila penalty. Cristian Espinoza was tripped and his former Huracán teammate stepped up to add the second.
San Lorenzo and Boca will now take on La Plata pair, Estudiantes and Gimnasia respectively for their places in the quarter finals.
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