Newells Old Boys 2-2 Boca Juniors – Clausura Thriller
Newells Old Boys and Boca Juniors served up a heart-stopping 2-2 draw in the Argentine Liga Profesional’s Clausura third round, a match that swung like a pendulum before exploding into late drama. For 90 minutes, the Marcelo Bielsa stadium pulsed with the tension of a derby that refused to settle.
Boca Juniors Strike First Through Ascacibar
The visitors drew first blood against the run of play when Santiago Ascacibar swept home Sebastián Villa’s cutback on 30 minutes. Boca’s midfield general timed his run perfectly, arriving late to rifle past Josué Reinatti. Newells’ frustration grew as Lautaro Giannetti saw yellow before half-time, but their response after the break would stun La Bombonera’s travelling faithful.
Newells Old Boys Fight Back With Coccaro and Regiardo
Matías Coccaro ignited the comeback five minutes into the second half, latching onto Facundo Guch’s through ball before slotting coolly past Álvaro Montero. Three minutes later, Luca Regiardo completed the turnaround with a thunderous strike from Tomás Ríos’ layoff – the midfielder’s first-time effort leaving Boca’s defence rooted. Newells’ double salvo in five minutes turned the stadium into a cauldron, their 40% possession belying lethal efficiency.
Velasco Rescues Point For Boca Juniors
Boca’s response came through substitute Aaron Velasco, who pounced on Tomás Aranda’s deflected cross at the back post with nine minutes left. The 31-year-old’s equaliser sparked wild scenes in the away end, capping a comeback that saw Boca’s 60% dominance finally bear fruit. Earlier yellow cards for Leandro Paredes and Ayrton Costa reflected their growing frustration before Velasco’s intervention.
The result leaves both sides still searching for their first win of the Clausura campaign, but this was no dull stalemate. Newells will curse missed chances after creating higher xG per shot (0.54 from just 9 attempts), while Boca’s 16 efforts (1.62 xG) underlined their control without clinical finishing. The ghosts of epic encounters past haunted this one – a proper Argentine football spectacle where neither deserved defeat.
Key Moments
30′ ⚽ Boca Juniors — S. Ascacibar (assist: S. Villa)
50′ ⚽ Newells Old Boys — M. Coccaro (assist: F. Guch)
59′ ⚽ Newells Old Boys — L. Regiardo (assist: T. Rios)
81′ ⚽ Boca Juniors — A. Velasco (assist: T. Aranda)🔮 Before kick-off: our match preview & prediction.
Lanus 2-1 Estudiantes L…
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Newells Old Boys



