Rosario Central and Newell’s Old Boys fought to a tense 1–1 draw in the Rosario derby at the Gigante de Arroyito, leaving both clubs with narrow margins as they push for qualification spots in the Torneo Clausura. According to match reports, Gastón Ávila gave the home side a first-half lead before Matías Cóccaro struck in stoppage time to salvage a crucial point for the visitors after a VAR review.
Late Drama and VAR Drama in Arroyito
The interzonal clash during the eighth round of the Liga Profesional lived up to its reputation for friction and high stakes. Local reports indicate that Rosario Central controlled much of the physical battle in midfield, and Ávila broke the deadlock in the final seconds of the opening period by smashing home a rebound from a corner kick.
As the match wore on, Jorge Almirón’s side adopted a more cautious posture, looking to exploit counterattacking spaces against a Newell’s attack that struggled for fluency. However, Frank Darío Kudelka’s team found a vital breakthrough in the 93rd minute. Ignacio “Colo” Ramírez slipped a pass through to Cóccaro, who fired past goalkeeper Jeremías Ledesma. Although the assistant referee initially raised the flag for offside, the decision was overturned following a VAR review, sealing the 1–1 final score.
Standings and Qualification Implications
The draw leaves both arch-rivals locked on 12 points within their respective groups. Rosario Central sits sixth in Zone B, while Newell’s climbed to fifth in Zone A. In the broader annual table used for international qualification, the Canalla occupy sixth position with 40 points—holding a spot for the Copa Sudamericana—while the Lepra stand 22nd with 27 points.
The result also prevented Rosario Central from securing their 100th victory in the official history of the cross-town fixture. Historical records show the Canalla maintain 99 derby wins compared to 77 for Newell’s, alongside 104 draws.
Next Fixtures on the Horizon
Both clubs face rapid turnarounds as the Torneo Clausura marches toward its decisive phases. Newell’s Old Boys will return to the Coloso del Parque on Friday, September 11, at 17:00 local time to host Vélez.
