Coccaro Penalty Seals Newells’ 1-0 Clausura Win Over Talleres

Newell’s Old Boys Edge Talleres in Tense Clausura Opener

Newell’s Old Boys began their Liga Profesional Argentina Clausura campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Talleres Córdoba, sealed by Matías Coccaro’s 55th-minute penalty in a match that saw the visitors reduced to ten men late on. The Rosario giants rode their luck against Talleres’ possession dominance, surviving five second-half saves from goalkeeper Josué Reinatti to claim three precious points.

Talleres Dominate Possession But Lack Cutting Edge

The visitors from Córdoba controlled 67% of possession and outshot Newell’s 17-11, but paid for Ramiro Riquelme’s early yellow card that set the tone for their disciplinary collapse. The defender’s 15th-minute booking for a late challenge on Walter Nuñez foreshadowed his 86th-minute dismissal after a second yellow for dissent. Between those bookends, Talleres created the better chances – their 1.32 xG marginally eclipsing Newell’s 1.31 – but found Reinatti in inspired form with five saves.

Coccaro’s Clinical Penalty Decides Tight Contest

The match turned in the 55th minute when Coccaro sent Ezequiel Unsaín the wrong way from the spot after a handball decision against Talleres. The Uruguayan striker’s composure contrasted with Talleres’ growing frustration, their 90% pass accuracy counting for little against Newell’s compact 4-2-3-1 shape. Lucas Bernardi’s side absorbed pressure brilliantly, blocking four shots and restricting Talleres to just five on target despite their territorial dominance.

Red Card Seals Talleres’ Fate

Riquelme’s late dismissal summed up Talleres’ night – the defender’s second yellow for protesting a decision leaving his side to play the final four minutes a man down. Substitute Franco Cristaldo came closest to an equalizer with a 78th-minute effort tipped over by Reinatti, but Newell’s saw out seven minutes of stoppage time to spark wild celebrations among the 33,000 at El Coloso.

What This Means For Both Sides

For Newell’s, this smash-and-grab victory provides the perfect platform for their Clausura ambitions, proving they can win ugly against top opposition. Talleres will rue missed opportunities but can take heart from their control – if they maintain this level, the results will come. Both sides face midweek Copa Argentina ties before returning to league action, with Newell’s at Arsenal Sarandí and Talleres hosting Belgrano in what already feels like a must-win.

Key Moments

55′ ⚽ Newells Old Boys — M. Coccaro

86′ 🟥 Talleres Cordoba — R. D. Riquelme sent off

🔮 Before kick-off: our match preview & prediction.