M. Coccaro’s brace lifts Newells Old Boys to a 2-1 win over Banfield

Newells Old Boys defeated Banfield 2-1 at Estadio Marcelo Bielsa in Rosario on Sunday, August 23, securing a home victory in Round 6 of the Liga Profesional Argentina Clausura. M. Coccaro scored twice for the hosts before B. Sepulveda converted a late penalty for Banfield, but Newells held on to take all three points.

Coccaro changes the contest

The first half ended without a goal, although the opening 45 minutes included two bookings. Banfield’s T. Adoryan was cautioned in the fourth minute, while Newells’ J. Gomez received a yellow card shortly before the interval. The early disciplinary incidents set a physical tone, but neither side found a breakthrough before the break.

Newells made an attacking change at half-time, with M. Coccaro replacing I. Ramirez in the 46th minute. The move quickly paid off. Five minutes later, Coccaro opened the scoring with a normal goal assisted by W. Mazzantti, giving Newells the advantage early in the second half.

Banfield responded with changes as L. Cano and F. Alvarez made way for D. Zalazar and M. Hernandez in the 59th and 60th minutes. Those substitutions did not prevent Newells from extending its lead. In the 77th minute, Coccaro struck again, this time assisted by F. Guch, to put the hosts 2-0 ahead. His two goals were the decisive contribution of the match.

Late penalty gives Banfield hope

The second half remained marked by further bookings, with F. Alvarez cautioned in the 50th minute and F. Medina shown a yellow card in the 70th. Newells also replaced J. Gomez with R. Herrera in the 68th minute, while Banfield made two more changes shortly afterwards: L. Gomez replaced F. Medina and L. Pinero came on for T. Adoryan.

Banfield reduced the deficit in the 90th minute when B. Sepulveda scored from the penalty spot. The goal gave the visitors a chance to level the match, but the equaliser did not arrive. Newells therefore completed a 2-1 win under referee F. Viola, with Coccaro’s second-half impact separating the teams.

Clausura impact

Newells began the round sixth in Clausura Group A with seven points from five matches, a record of two wins, one draw and two defeats. This victory moves them to 10 points from six games and gives them a third Clausura win. Banfield entered the round 11th in Group B, also with seven points from five matches and the same two-win, one-draw, two-loss record. The defeat leaves them on seven points after six games, with three losses in the competition. The result also ended Newells’ latest run of three matches without a defeat, while Banfield’s recent form remained uneven.