A penalty kick conversion from Dario Gandin right before half-time was the difference as Independiente edged arch-rivals Racing Club 1-0 in the highly disputed Avellaneda derby at the Libertadores de America stadium on Saturday. It was a very evenly balanced contest, with both teams finishing the match with 10-men. With the win Independiente have reinforced their chances of winning the Argentine Clausura championship this season.
Racing Club started the better of the two sides, with former Argentine international Roberto Ayala almost putting them ahead with a header that struck the woodwork.
But from that instance Independiente controlled their opponents, and they were awarded a penalty in the 39th minute, when Braian Lluy handled the ball inside of the area. Gandin stepped up to the spot and fired Independiente ahead.
Gabriel Hauche reduced Racing to ten-men in the 59th minute, and from then on the game opened up, with both teams creating goal-scoring opportunities. Racing proved to be the better side in the second half, but they couldn´t force what would have been a justified draw.
In Saturday´s other matches, Huracan defeated Velez Sarsfield 3-2 and Colon de Santa Fe drew 1-1 with Rosario Central.
Argentina´s most popular club, Boca Juniors, were held to a 1-1 draw by Estudiantes de La Plata at the Bombonera stadium on Friday night. Martin Palermo put Boca ahead in the 24th minute via the penalty spot, but Leandro Gonzalez rescued Independiente an unexpected point in second half injury-time, with a superb half volley coming from a long goalkick.
Gregory Sica
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diablos rojos are back, we will win the league
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