Cóccaro Stuns Rosario Central with 93rd-Minute Equaliser in 1-1 Derby Drama

Rosario Central 1-1 Newells Old Boys: Late Agony in Clausura Clash

Rosario Central were seconds from a precious derby victory until Matías Cóccaro’s 93rd-minute equaliser punished them for missed chances and handed Newell’s Old Boys a 1-1 draw in this Clausura matchday 8 thriller. The script was cruel for Gastón Ávila, who had given Central a first-half lead only to see his heroic defensive performance undone by the cruelest twist.

Rosario Central’s Bright Start

The Gigante de Arroyito pulsed with anticipation from kickoff, and Central nearly rewarded that energy within 90 seconds – Franco Ibarra’s reckless lunge earning the first of nine total yellow cards. Yet amidst the early chaos, Enzo Copetti’s vision stood out, squaring for Ávila to sweep home on the stroke of halftime. The defender-turned-goalscorer wheeled away in disbelief, his 45th-minute strike a rare moment of calm in a half of flying tackles and fraying tempers.

Newell’s Old Boys’ Second Half Siege

Newells manager Fernando Kudelka rolled the dice on the hour mark with a triple substitution that changed the game’s rhythm. Suddenly, it was Central clinging on – their 54% possession hollow comfort as Juan Ignacio Ramírez’s introduction gave Newells the directness they craved. Four Central players saw yellow as the tackles grew increasingly desperate, goalkeeper Jorge Ledesma’s fingertips denying Walter Mazzantti what seemed a certain equaliser.

Just as Central fans began celebrating, Ramírez danced past two challenges in the third minute of stoppage time. His cutback found Cóccaro, who buried his chance with VAR confirming the strike despite Ávila’s lunging attempt to block. The scorer, already booked earlier, ripped his shirt off in ecstasy as the away end exploded.

What This Means

For Rosario Central, two points dropped rather than one gained after dominating the shot count 12-5. Ángel Di María’s late introduction showed the depth they possess, but their inability to kill the game proved fatal. Newells meanwhile celebrate a vital point that extends their unbeaten run, built on the type of resilience that makes derby fixtures so unpredictable. Both sides now eye midweek fixtures where momentum will be at a premium in this tightly contested Clausura campaign.

Key Moments

45+1′ ⚽ Rosario Central — Gaston Avila (assist: Enzo Copetti)

90+3′ ⚽ Newells Old Boys — Matías Cóccaro (assist: Juan Ignacio Ramírez)