Vélez Sarsfield defeated Rosario Central on Saturday evening to win the Fase Complementación and set up a clash with the loser of Sunday’s Copa Diego Maradona final between Boca Juniors and Banfield for a place in the 2022 Copa Sudamericana.

In the scheme of things hardly a lofty prize but Vélez were in need of a lift following Wednesday’s Sudamericana semi-final exit at the hands of Lanús.

Ricardo Centurión gave Vélez the ideal start from the penalty spot after Agustín Bouzat had been bundled over.

Midway through the first half Central were level when youngster Alan Marinelli reacted first to Lucas Hoyos only managing to parry a shot against the crossbar and the game remained in the balance for a long time.

Both had chances for a second but with ten minutes remaining Patricio Loustau awarded Vélez a second penalty, Jonathan Bottinelli adjudged to have handled in his sliding attempt to block Tomás Guidara’s shot. The Central veteran sent off in the process and substitute Thiago Almada cool enough to slot in from the spot.

Pablo Galdames immediately levelled things up when the Vélez midfielder saw red and yet Central couldn’t capitalise. Instead Luca Orellano was fouled on his way towards the box prompting Damián Martínez to reduce Central to nine and in stoppage time Florián Monzón wrapped up the win for Mauricio Pellegrino’s side.