In the 12th round of the Apertura, Racing Club clinched a vital away victory by defeating Belgrano 2-1. The match saw Racing take an early lead with a goal from Adrián Fernández in the 30th minute of the first half. Belgrano managed to level the score shortly after halftime when Lucas Zelarayán scored in the 54th minute. However, the visiting team ensured their win with a header from Marco Di Césare in the 61st minute.
Nicolás Fernández of Belgrano missed a crucial opportunity to equalize when he failed to convert a penalty awarded in the 41st minute of the first half.
Marco Di Césare was the standout player of the match, contributing significantly with one goal and three defensive clearances. Another key player for Racing was Santiago Sosa, who completed 51 successful passes and made six defensive interventions.
Emiliano Rigoni from Belgrano impressed the crowd after skillfully nutmegging Racing’s Tomás Conechny at the 24-minute mark of the first half.
Belgrano’s coach Ricardo Zielinski implemented a 4-5-1 formation with Thiago Cardozo in goal, supported by Alcides Benitez, Leonardo Morales, Álvaro Ocampo, and Federico Ricca in defense. The midfield consisted of Adrián Sánchez, Franco Vázquez, Emiliano Rigoni, Lucas Zelarayán, and Julián Mavilla, while Nicolás Fernández led the attack.
On the other hand, Racing Club, managed by Gustavo Costas, also lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Facundo Cambeses as goalkeeper, flanked by Ezequiel Cannavó, Marco Di Césare, Marcos Rojo, and Gabriel Rojas in defense. The midfield comprised Bruno Zuculini, Santiago Sosa, Gastón Martirena, Adrián Fernández, and Tomás Conechny, with Santiago Solari at the forefront.
The match referee, Andrés Merlos, oversaw a tightly contested game at the Gigante de Alberdi.
Looking ahead, Belgrano will face River Plate in the next match, while Racing Club will challenge their arch-rivals Independiente in a new edition of the Avellaneda derby.
Substitutions for Belgrano
45’ 2T – Emiliano Rigoni was replaced by Ramiro Hernándes
74’ 2T – Leonardo Morales exited for Juan Velázquez and Julián Mavilla made way for Lucas Passerini
Yellow Cards for Belgrano:
16’ 1T Lucas Zelarayán (Insulting or disapproving the referee), 14’ 2T Alcides Benitez (Arguing with an opponent), and 33’ 2T Franco Vázquez (Unsportsmanlike conduct)
Substitutions for Racing Club
59’ 2T – Bruno Zuculini was substituted by Alan Forneris, Santiago Solari was replaced by Adrián Martínez, and Nicolás Fernández was replaced by Lautaro Gutierrez
66’ 2T – Marcos Rojo left the field for Franco Pardo
84’ 2T – Marco Di Césare was substituted by Nazareno Colombo, and Adrián Fernández was replaced by Agustín García Basso
Yellow Cards for Racing Club:
24’ 1T Gabriel Rojas (Unsportsmanlike conduct), 14’ 2T Alan Forneris (Arguing with an opponent), and 47’ 2T Adrián Martínez (Arguing with an opponent)