Soñora’s Stunner Earns Newells Old Boys Draw Against Velez Sarsfield

Newells Old Boys snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw against Velez Sarsfield with Alan Soñora’s 93rd-minute strike in a pulsating Argentine Liga Profesional Clausura clash that had everything – a missed penalty, a heroic goalkeeper performance, and a heart-stopping finale.

Velez Sarsfield’s Early Dominance

The visitors started brightly, their quick passing and movement causing Newells problems. And on 27 minutes, their early pressure told. Elías Gómez’s defence-splitting pass found Ronaldo Martínez, who coolly slotted past Juan Reinatti to give Velez a deserved lead.

Newells Old Boys Fight Back

Newells gradually found their rhythm, with Santiago Solari at the heart of their attacking play. On 63 minutes, they had a golden chance to equalize when they were awarded a penalty. But Solari, usually so reliable from the spot, saw his effort brilliantly saved by Tomás Marchiori, who guessed correctly to dive low to his left.

Undeterred, Newells piled on the pressure in search of an equalizer. Their persistence finally paid in the dying moments of the game. With 93 minutes on the clock, substitute Soñora unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the area that flew into the top corner, sparking wild scenes of celebration among the home fans.

Statistical Analysis

The stats underscore Newells’ dominance. They had 15 shots to Velez’s 7, with 6 on target compared to the visitors’ solitary effort. Despite Velez’s early goal, it was Newells who created the clearer chances, and their 53% possession reflected their control of the game for long periods.

What This Means

For Newells, this feels like a win snatched from the jaws of defeat. The character shown to keep going after the penalty miss will give them heart. Velez, on the other hand, will be kicking themselves for not seeing out the game. A draw was probably a fair result in an absorbing encounter, and both sides will take positives for their Clausura campaigns ahead.

Key Moments

27′ ⚽ Velez Sarsfield — Ronaldo Martinez (assist: Elías Gómez)

90+3′ ⚽ Newells Old Boys — Alan Soñora