Estudiantes claimed the Supercopa Argentina on Thursday in Córdoba, beating Independiente Rivadavia 3-2 after extra time. The win came in their last match before the Copa Libertadores final against Palmeiras, which will be played on the 28th in Montevideo, Uruguay.
A late collapse and a dramatic finish
Estudiantes looked set for an easy afternoon after going 2-0 up in the second half. Rivadavia, however, struck back with two goals in the closing stages of regulation time, at the 43rd and 50th minutes of the second half, to force extra time.
Guido Carrillo was the difference-maker for the winners. The towering striker headed home from a corner taken by Tobio Burgos early in the second half. Later, Carrillo received a superb pass from Castro, and when he attempted a dribble towards the byline, Iván Villalba’s clearance went into his own net.
Rivadavia kept pushing. Florentín reduced the deficit with a fine goal, and Matías Fernández’s header brought the sides level. Muslera had a moment of alarm when a weak cross from Reali was poorly cleared, but Elordi’s wild volley did not trouble the Uruguayan goalkeeper. In the final action of normal time, Matías Fernández set up Elordi, whose low cross allowed Iván Villalba to make amends and equalise.
Alario settles it in extra time
The decider arrived early in the additional period. Six minutes in, Baltasar Rodríguez curled a free kick from distance into the box, and Lucas Alario rose backwards to head past goalkeeper Emmanuel Gómez.
Rivadavia had one more clear opportunity to equalise in the second half of extra time, but Sartori’s effort from the edge of the six-yard box was kept out by a brilliant save from Muslera.
Rest before the continental final
With the Supercopa secured, Estudiantes have no further matches on home soil. Coach Alexander Medina’s side are out of the knockout stage of the Clausura, giving them two full weeks to rest and address any muscle fatigue in the squad before the Libertadores decider with Palmeiras.
What is the Supercopa Argentina?
The Supercopa is contested between the winners of the previous season’s Trofeo de Campeones, which is played between the Apertura and Clausura champions, and the previous season’s Copa Argentina winners. This year, that meant Estudiantes faced Independiente Rivadavia.
Source: ge.globo.com
