1-1 draw leaves Rosario Central frustrated after 12-5 shot advantage

Rosario Central drew 1-1 with Newells Old Boys in the Liga Profesional Argentina Clausura on Sunday, September 6, with both sides taking a point from Round 8 at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito. Rosario Central led at half-time after Gaston Avila scored in the 45th minute, but Matías Cóccaro equalised in the 90th minute to secure the draw.

Late equaliser changes the result

Rosario Central controlled much of the first half and found the breakthrough just before the interval. Enzo Copetti supplied the assist for Avila, who put the home side ahead after a period in which Rosario Central created the greater share of the attacking pressure.

Newells Old Boys made three changes between the 59th and 60th minutes, introducing Jerónimo Gómez Mattar, Mateo García and Jeronimo Russo. Rosario Central responded with changes of its own, including Alexis Soto and Federico Navarro in the 66th minute, before Giovanni Ismael Cantizano came on in the 75th minute.

The visitors eventually found their reward at the end of the match. Juan Ignacio Ramírez assisted Cóccaro for the equaliser in the 90th minute, cancelling out Rosario Central's lead and completing the scoring at 1-1.

Central had the territorial advantage

The statistics showed Rosario Central as the more active team despite the even scoreline. The hosts had 54% possession, completed 244 accurate passes to Newells Old Boys' 164 and recorded 332 total passes compared with 247. They also led 12-5 in total shots, 10-2 in corners and 6-2 in shots inside the box.

However, both teams registered two shots on goal, and each goalkeeper made one save. That efficiency helped Newells Old Boys remain in the match before Cóccaro's late finish, while Rosario Central's greater volume did not produce a winning goal.

Cards and table impact

The match produced nine yellow cards but no red cards. Rosario Central's cautions went to Franco Ibarra, G.Agustin Sandez, Gaston Avila and Alexis Soto. Newells Old Boys booked Franco Escobar, Matías Cóccaro, Martin Ortega, Luca Regiardo and Santiago Germán Solari Ferreyra, with the latter two cautions arriving in the closing stages alongside Soto's booking.

Both teams entered the round on 11 points from seven Clausura matches. Rosario Central was listed seventh in Group B with a 3W-2D-2L record and a goal difference of 1, while Newells Old Boys was fifth in Group A with the same record and a goal difference of 2. This draw adds one point to each team's total. It also means both sides avoided defeat after losing their most recent pre-match fixture.

Cóccaro leads the ratings

Cóccaro was the standout performer, earning a match rating of 7.5. His late goal and one shot on target were decisive in preserving Newells Old Boys' point. Copetti also contributed with an assist, one key pass and one tackle, while Ramírez supplied the assist for the equaliser.