Vélez Sarsfield beat Argentinos Juniors on Sunday to become the first 2024 Copa de la Liga finalists. The team coached by Gustavo Quinteros held on to a 0-0 draw after having striker Braian Romero sent off in the 14th minute and went through after a penalty shootout. It will face the winner of the other semifinal, between Boca Juniors and Estudiantes de La Plata.

Things started looking difficult for Vélez early in the game. With both teams looking to attack from kickoff, Romero’s sending off — the result of a VAR review of his tackle on Argetinos’ Nicolás Oroz — forced Quinteros’ side to change plans. The Fortín sat deep in its own side of the pitch, but still managed to edge the first half, with four clear goal scoring chances saved by rival goalkeeper Diego Rodríguez.

In the second half, Argentinos gained control of the game, but still struggled to break down the Vélez defense. When it did, two saves by Tomás Marchiori kept the scores level. The game ended in a tie, which in the Copa de la Liga means the game goes to a penalty shoot-out, with no extra time.

There, it was Marchiori who became the hero once again, saving the Argentinos’ last kick of the game to give winger Lenny Lobato the chance to settle the win, 4-2 on penalties.

Vélez wasn’t a favorite to make it to the final. It took a set of lucky results to qualify for the playoffs on the last matchday of the group stage, and the team had to secure another result with 10 men after defender Elías Gómez was sent off early in their first knockout game.

The second finalist will be settled on Tuesday at 8 p.m. as Boca Juniors faces off against Estudiantes de La Plata.

The Xeneize is fresh off a 3-2 Superclásico win in the quarterfinals against River on April 21, while Estudiantes swept Barracas Central 3-0 the day before. They will play at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium, in Córdoba Province.

The winner will face Vélez in the final at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero, on May 5 at 3:30 p.m.

QOSHE - Vélez shocks Argentinos, wins on penalties for 2024 Copa de la Liga final spot - Fernando Romero Nuñez
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Vélez shocks Argentinos, wins on penalties for 2024 Copa de la Liga final spot

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29.04.2024

Vélez Sarsfield beat Argentinos Juniors on Sunday to become the first 2024 Copa de la Liga finalists. The team coached by Gustavo Quinteros held on to a 0-0 draw after having striker Braian Romero sent off in the 14th minute and went through after a penalty shootout. It will face the winner of the other semifinal, between Boca Juniors and Estudiantes de La Plata.

Things started looking difficult for Vélez early in the game. With both teams looking to attack from kickoff, Romero’s sending off — the result of........

© Buenos Aires Herald


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