Vélez, who played with 10 players for much of the game due to the early expulsion of forward Braian Romero, beat Argentinos Juniors 4 to 2 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time at the Único de San Nicolás stadium, so they will face with Boca or Estudiantes in search of the title in the League Cup final.
After a series of arrivals for each team, Romero saw the red card at 13 minutes for an attack on Nicolás Oroz, after the intervention of the VAR, and left “Fortín” in numerical inferiority.
However, the Liniers cast showed their best side after the expulsion and generated several clear chances, in which goalkeeper Diego Rodríguez excelled to keep the goal in the Argentinos goal in the initial stage.
A semi-final that rewarded Vélez’s efforts
The first 45 minutes forced the “Russian” to appear in all his splendor when, in contrast to what Romero’s red card indicated, Vélez stole control of the match.
However, Argentinos regained supremacy in the final half, but Marchiori was in charge of closing his goal: at 15 minutes he saved a powerful shot from José Herrera with a sublime intervention to send the ball to the corner kick, while the 25 the Vélez goalkeeper appeared again when he contained a shot from Santiago Montiel.
When “Bicho” had his opponent cornered, a counter and an angry counter from Lenny Lobato once again demanded of “Ruso” Rodríguez, who blocked a new one-on-one in the 33rd minute.
The physical decline in those led by Gustavo Quinteros changed the procedure of the semi: Argentinos reacted, took control of the ball and began to hurt their rival, but Tomás Marchiori stepped up to maintain the tie and the duel reached the shootout. penalties.
There, although “Ruso” saved Juan Ignacio Méndez’s shot, Thiago Vecino, Joaquín García, Santiago Cáseres and Lenny Lobato scored for the “Fortín” victory.
On the Argentinos side, Gastón Verón and Franco Moyano converted, but Leonardo Heredia deflected his shot and Marchiori saved Luciano Gondou’s shot to give Vélez a ticket to the final.
With this result, they will face the winner of the key between Boca and Estudiantes de La Plata, who will meet this Tuesday from 8 p.m. at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba, in search of the League Cup title.
Vélez finalist
Fortín’s rival will come from the winner between Boca and Estudiantes, who will face each other this Tuesday starting at 8 p.m. The grand final will be on Sunday, May 5 at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero.
The definition
The 0-0 forced the execution of shots from the 12 steps to know which team will play in the final. The definition was as follows: Juan Méndez (Vélez), saved Rodríguez; Gastón Verón (Argentinos), goal; Thiago Vecino (Vélez), goal; Leonardo Heredia (Argentinos), above the crossbar; Joaquín García (Vélez), goal; Franco Moyano (Argentinos), goal; Santiago Cáseres (Vélez), goal; Luciano Gondou (Argentinos), Marchiori saved; Lenny Lobato (Vélez), goal.
Synthesis
Velez: Tomás Marchiori; Joaquín García, Valentín Gómez, Damián Fernández, Tomás Cavanagh; Christian Ordoñez, Agustín Bouzat; Francisco Pizzini, Claudio Aquino, Thiago Fernández; Brian Romero.
Argentines: Diego Rodríguez; Kevin Coronel, Jonathan Galván, Román Vega, Sebastián Prieto; Alan Lescano, Franco Moyano, Nicolás Oroz; José Herrera, Luciano Gondou and Maximiliano Romero.
Changes: in the second half, 15m. Gastón Verón for Maximilaino Romero (A), Santiago Montiel for José Herrera (A) and Alan Rodríguez for Kevin Coronel (A); 20m. Juan Méndez for Francisco Pizzini (V) and Lenny Lobato for Thiago Fernández (V); 28m. Emanuel Mammana by Tomás Cavanagh (V) and Santiago Cáseres by Claudio Aquino (V); 34m. Leonardo Heredia by Nicolás Oroz (A); 43m. Thiago Vecino by Agustín Bouzat (V) and Damián Batallini by Alan Lescano (A).
Incidents: in the first half, 13m. Braian Romero (V) expelled.
Stadium: Unique of San Nicolás.
