If there were any questions about Racing after they were comprehensively beaten by River Plate last week then Eduardo Coudet’s side answered them on Monday evening with an equally crushing defeat over Godoy Cruz to rejoin Defensa y Justicia at the top of the table.
Racing were well on top from kickoff and eventually that constant pressure told. A long throw found its way to Darío Cvitanich and the recent signing slipped the ball to an unmarked Lisandro López who made no mistake in slotting in his 15th goal of the season.
A reaction stop by Gabriel Arias denied Santiago Garcia an equaliser and soon after Racing extended their lead. A swift counter down the left saw Pol Fernández clip the ball into the middle to the impressive Matías Zaracho and the 20-year-old cooly volleyed past Roberto Ramírez.
From that point the result looked in little doubt and on the hour mark, Racing made absolutely certain. Cvitanich’s initial effort was parried by Ramírez but Zaracho was on hand to tap in his second and give La Academia an unassailable lead.
It was a tremendous response by Eduardo Coudet’s side and now back at the top, level on points with Defensa y Justicia, the stakes could hardly be any greater for next week’s Clásico de Avellaneda.
Racing Club 3 – 0 Godoy Cruz
Earlier in La Paternal, Argentinos Juniors chalked up only a third win of the season and in doing halted an alarming slide towards the relegation zone.
Struggling Estudiantes were the visitors to the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona and found themselves behind inside the opening ten minutes. The worst attack in the league, Los Bichos haven’t scored many this season, but few teams will boast a better goal than the one Elías Gómez broke the deadlock with. A looping cross from the right found the overlapping full back on the far side and the 24-year-old caught the ball as sweetly as could be with a stunning volley past Mariano Andújar.
Lucas Albertengo missed a glorious opportunity to equalise from yards out but Estudiantes didn’t have to wait too long. Argentinos goalkeeper Lucas Chaves made a mess of coming for a cross and as the ball was headed back across goal, Manuel Castro was able to nod into the unguarded net.
In desperate need of three points, Argentinos Juniors needed another and twelve minutes from time they found it, Gabriel Hauche sliding in from close range to restore the lead.
Argentinos remain in trouble but with Diego Dabove picking up his first win, Los Bichos have to be looking upwards.
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