There was no questioning what the game of the day was as champions Racing Club headed to Liniers to take on title dark horses Vélez Sarsfield. Both sides had failed to win on the opening weekend, were looking to kickstart their challenges and the proverbial game of two halves that played out at the Estadio José Amalfitani didn’t disappoint.
An even opening was eventually broken by a moment of real quality from the home side as a rapid counter saw recent signing Tomás Guidara release the impressive Nicolás Domínguez, the midfielder skipping past Nery Domínguez to fire into the top corner.
After failing to find a way past Unión last week it was a concerning period for the champions and it got worse before the break. Maxi Romero bundled in his first goal since returning to the club finishing off Agustín Bouzat’s devilish low cross.
Whatever was said at half time by Eduardo Coudet had the desired effect and before the hour mark, Racing pulled a goal back. Always a threat at set-pieces, Matías Zaracho headed the ball goal wards at a corner and Nery Domínguez pounced to poke the ball past Lucas Hoyos.
The momentum was all with the visitors and only a brilliant double-stop from Hoyos denied La Academia an equaliser. Yet the Vélez keeper could do nothing to prevent Racing eventually finding a way through. Iván Pillud, the wrong side of substitute Lucas Janson, took a lofted pass superbly in his stride and slid the ball into the net to level things up.
Neither could find a winner and although as Coudet said at full time if there was a little more time his side would likely have won it, Vélez will sense that they let two points slip away after such a positive first half.
Vélez Sarsfield 2 – 2 Racing Club
Up in Santiago del Estero it was party time as Central Córdoba secured their first win back in the top flight with a deserved victory over Atlético Tucumán.
Less than three minutes were on the clock when Nicolás Femia arrived in the penalty area to fire a cross past Cristian Lucchetti, blinded by the bright sunlight. And while both sides had penalty shouts, Central Córdoba looked the only team likely to add another as José Valencia saw a point-blank header saved in the second half.
The home team held on for the points against a very poor Atlético side, already beaten by two relegation candidates, and with the points Central Córdoba immediately rocket up the promedios table.
Rosario Central, who won in Tucumán last Monday, easing their own relegation fears but remaining in the drop zone, followed it up with victory over Talleres in the Gigante de Arroyito and at least momentarily climbed out of the bottom three.
An uneventful game produced one decisive moment fifteen minutes from time, substitute Sebastián Ribas nodding the ball down into the path of Diego Zabala for the recent signing to slot home the winner.
And lastly, in Mar del Plata, Aldosivi and Argentinos Juniors both remain in the mix down near the bottom end of the promedio after scrapping to a goalless draw.
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