Newell’s Old Boys Hold On After VAR Review Saves Draw in Rosario Derby

In a tightly contested Rosario derby that saw emotions run high and multiple contentious moments, Newell’s Old Boys salvaged a 1-1 draw against Rosario Central after a pivotal VAR intervention in the 89th minute. The match, played at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa on Saturday, April 27, 2024, began with Newell’s taking an early lead through a well-worked team goal, only to see Rosario Central equalize late in the second half. The turning point came when a potential Rosario Central winning goal was disallowed following a VAR review for an offside call in the buildup, preserving the draw for Newell’s and intensifying the rivalry’s latest chapter.

Early Lead and Tactical Setup

Newell’s Old Boys started the match with a clear intention to control possession and exploit spaces behind Rosario Central’s high defensive line. Under the guidance of coach Gabriel Heinze, the home side deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation that emphasized quick transitions from midfield to attack. The strategy paid off in the 23rd minute when Ignacio Malcorra collected the ball near the halfway line, drove forward and slipped a pass to Ever Banega, who found Jorge Recalde making a run behind the defense. Recalde’s first-time finish gave Newell’s a 1-0 lead, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Rosario Central, meanwhile, struggled to impose their game plan in the opening stages. Coach Miguel Ángel Russo opted for a 4-3-3 formation but found his side unable to break down Newell’s compact defensive shape. The visitors managed only sporadic forays into the final third, with their best chance coming in the 35th minute when a long-range effort from Kevin López sailed just wide of the post. Newell’s dominance in midfield, particularly through the tireless work of Banega and Fernando Cardozo, limited Rosario Central’s ability to build sustained pressure.

Rosario Central’s Response and Missed Opportunities

After the break, Rosario Central emerged with renewed urgency, pushing higher up the pitch in search of an equalizer. The tactical shift saw them adopt a more aggressive 4-2-4 shape, with wingers Tomás Chancalay and Santiago Sosa providing width and stretching Newell’s defense. Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when a corner kick from the left flank found Luciano Rodríguez unmarked at the far post. Rodríguez’s powerful header beat Newell’s goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín, leveling the score at 1-1 and shifting the momentum decisively in Rosario Central’s favor.

Buoyed by the goal, Rosario Central continued to press for a winner. In the 78th minute, Chancalay drove into the box from the left and squared the ball to Rodríguez, whose first-time shot was brilliantly saved by Marchesín, who pushed the effort onto the crossbar. The rebound fell to Sosa, who fired over the bar from close range. Minutes later, in the 82nd minute, Rosario Central had another golden opportunity when a through ball split Newell’s defense, leaving Rodríguez one-on-one with Marchesín. The Newell’s keeper, however, stood tall again, saving low to his left to retain the scores level.

The VAR Intervention That Preserved the Draw

As the match entered its final stages, Newell’s appeared content to see out the draw, defending deep and looking to hit Rosario Central on the counter. However, in the 89th minute, Rosario Central launched one last attack that seemed destined to win the game. A long ball from the back found Chancalay making a run behind Newell’s defense. He controlled the ball and squared it to Rodríguez, who appeared to have scored the winning goal with a low drive into the bottom corner. The Rosario Central players and fans erupted in celebration, believing they had secured a vital derby victory.

Almost immediately, the referee, Facundo Tello, was alerted by the VAR team to review the goal for a potential offside infringement in the buildup. After a lengthy consultation lasting approximately 90 seconds, Tello returned to the pitch and disallowed the goal, ruling that Chancalay had been in an offside position when the initial long ball was played. The decision was met with disbelief and frustration from Rosario Central’s players and supporters, while Newell’s players and fans breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The VAR review was conducted according to standard IFAB protocols, with the team checking multiple camera angles to confirm the offside position. Official match statistics later confirmed that Chancalay was indeed offside by a narrow margin when the pass was initiated, validating the referee’s final decision. This intervention proved crucial, as it prevented Rosario Central from securing what would have been a late winner and instead preserved the 1-1 draw for Newell’s Old Boys.

Post-Match Reactions and Implications

Following the match, both coaches offered contrasting perspectives on the outcome and the VAR decision. Newell’s coach Gabriel Heinze acknowledged the difficulty of the game but expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience. “We knew it would be a tough match against our rivals,” Heinze said. “The players showed great character to defend our lead and then fight for the draw when they equalized. The VAR decision was correct according to the rules, and we accept it as part of the game.”

Rosario Central’s coach Miguel Ángel Russo, however, was visibly frustrated by the outcome. “We created enough chances to win this game,” Russo stated. “The disallowed goal was a hard blow, especially after we fought so hard to come back. We need to review the footage and understand exactly what happened, but the feeling is that we deserved more from this match.” Russo’s comments highlighted the lingering disappointment among the Rosario Central camp, who felt they had done enough to secure all three points.

The draw leaves both teams in a precarious position in the Primera Nacional standings. Newell’s Old Boys remain in 15th place with 28 points from 22 matches, while Rosario Central sit in 12th with 32 points from the same number of games. Neither side has managed to build consistent momentum this season, with both teams alternating between strong performances and disappointing results. The point earned from the derby does little to alleviate the pressure on either coach, as both teams continue to fight for a better position in the table ahead of the season’s conclusion.

Looking Ahead

For Newell’s Old Boys, the focus now shifts to their next fixture, a away match against Atlético Tucumán scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:00 PM ART (UTC-3). The team will look to build on the resilience shown in the derby and secure a much-needed victory to improve their standing. Rosario Central, meanwhile, will host Instituto de Córdoba on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 5:00 PM ART (UTC-3), hoping to convert the frustration from the derby into a positive result against their next opponent.

As the Primera Nacional season progresses, both Rosario clubs will need to address their inconsistencies if they hope to climb the table and achieve their seasonal objectives. The derby draw, while not the victory either side sought, serves as a reminder of the intense rivalry that continues to define football in Rosario and the fine margins that often determine outcomes in tightly contested matches.

For continued updates on the Primera Nacional and all the latest developments from Argentine football, stay tuned to Archysport. We’ll be providing comprehensive coverage of the upcoming fixtures and in-depth analysis of how both Newell’s Old Boys and Rosario Central navigate the challenges ahead.