Copa Argentina round-up: Estudiantes eliminated by 4th tier side and Rosario Central looking for revenge

The Copa Argentina was re-launched in 2011. Since then, Rosario Central have reached the final 3 times, losing all of them. There are still 64 teams left in this year’s edition. All teams battle for the cup and a place in the Copa Libertadores group stage. With some of the participants playing as low as the 5th tier, upsets are bound to happen. The scheduling for this competition is remarkable, to say the least… Rosario opened this year’s edition in April with the last fixtures of this round being played until the 30th of June. At the moment of writing this round-up, there are still 9 games to be played.

Rosario Central

As I stated above, Rosario Central have lost three consecutive finals. They will be eager to drop that curse this year and got off to a good start. Their opponents, Canuellas, are playing in the 4th tier. An early goal from Mauricio Martinez proved to be the difference in the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito. A narrow 1-0 victory for Canallas. They will have to take this competition seriously as it’s their only way to qualify for the Copa Libertadores.

Estudiantes vs Pacifico

Estudiantes were drawn against Pacifico, who play their games in the Torneo Federal B. Everyone expected an easy victory for the boys from La Plata, especially as they fielded a strong side. However, Estudiantes found themselves 2-0 down after 20 minutes. Colombian forward Otero got one back for Estudiantes but they were still losing at HT. Pacifico added a 3rd shortly after HT. Lucas Rodriguez got another back for Los Pincharratas in the 79th minute but it wasn’t enough. A 3-2 loss for Estudiantes against a side that plays in the 4th tier. As a result of this knockout and their poor Copa Libertadores run Nelson Vivas resigned as their manager.

Penalties

Plenty of Primera División sides drew with lower ranked sides, meaning they would instantly go to penalties. Independiente advanced over Atletico Camioneros, Huracan won against Defensores Unidos, Belgrano beat Estudiantes Caceros and Atletico Tucuman were too strong for All Boys. All after penalties. But not all teams ended up as winners. In fact, 3 Primera División sides were eliminated after penalties. Deportivo Riestra over Tigre, Sacachispas against Arsenal and Gimnasia Mendoza against Quilmes.

List of results

Rosario Central 1-0 Canuelas
Banfield 1-0 Chaco Forever
Huracan 2-2 Defensores Unidos
Tigre 2-2 Deportivo Riestra
Quilmes 0-0 Gimnasia Mendoza
Independiente 0-0 Atletico Camioneros
Arsenal de Sarandi 1-1 Sacachispas
Talleres de Cordoba 1-0 Defensores de Belgrano
Belgrano 1-1 Estudiantes Caceros
Defensa y Justicia 3-0 Sol de Mayo
Velez Sarzfield 1-0 Leandro Nicefero Alem
Patronato 0-2 Deportivo Moron
Atletico Rafaela 1-0 Almagro
Sarmiento 1-0 Atletico Brown
Colon 1-0 Independiente Rivadavia
Olimpo 1-0 Ferro
Lanus 5-1 Sportivo barracas
Atletico Tucuman 1-1 All Boys
Gimnasia La Plata 0-1 Defensores Belgrano VR
Estudiantes 2-3 Pacifico
Newell’s 4-1 Central Norte
Aldosivi 2-1 Central Cordoba
San Martin 0-3 Atalanta

(winners in bold)

To be played

Godoy Cruz vs Deportivo Santamarina
River Plate vs Atlas
Boca Juniors vs Gimnasia y Tiro
San Lorenzo vs Cipoletti
Temperley vs Sportivo Las Parejas
Union Santa Fe vs Nuevo Chicago
Guillermo Brown vs Chacharita Juniors
Argentinos Jrs vs Instituto
Racing Club vs CA Mitre