In a captivating clash at the Estadio Único de San Nicolás, Unión emerged victorious over Rosario Central in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, clinching their place in the Round of 16. The match ended 0-0 after regular time, forcing the two sides to settle the score from the spot.
Unión displayed composure during the penalty shootout, with Mauricio Martínez, Mauro Pittón, and Lionel Verde successfully converting their penalties, while Marcelo Estigarribia missed his attempt. In contrast, Rosario Central struggled at the spot, with Agustín Módica, Gaspar Duarte, and Agustín Sández failing to score.
Ignacio Malcorra of Rosario Central missed a crucial penalty in the 73rd minute, which could have given his team the lead. The standout player of the match was undoubtedly Jorge Broun, the Rosario Central goalkeeper, who made an impressive seven saves throughout the match. On the other end, Matías Tagliamonte of Unión made two vital stops during the shootout, contributing significantly to his team’s triumph.
Defensively, Lautaro Vargas made headlines with a brilliant nutmeg on his marker in the 85th minute, showcasing his skill and confidence in a tense match.
The match saw Rosario Central’s coach Ariel Holan field a 4-5-1 formation, with Broun in goal and a solid backline consisting of Enzo Giménez, Facundo Mallo, Carlos Quintana, and Sández. The midfield featured Franco Ibarra, Federico Navarro, Gaspar Duarte, Malcorra, and Jaminton Campaz, supporting striker Lautaro Giaccone up front.
In contrast, Unión, managed by Leonardo Madelón, set up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Tagliamonte between the sticks and a defense comprising Vargas, Franco Pardo, Valentín Fascendini, and Mateo Del Blanco. The midfield line included Julián Palacios, Pittón, Martínez, and Franco Fragapane, while Lucas Gamba and Cristian Tarragona led the attack.
Referee Darío Herrera oversaw the proceedings in what was an exhilarating encounter, particularly for Unión, who had to fight rigorously to secure their spot in the next round.
Substitutions for Rosario Central:
45’ 2T – Franco Ibarra was replaced by Tomás O’Connor
49’ 2T – Lautaro Giaccone was replaced by Agustín Módica
78’ 2T – Jaminton Campaz was replaced by Giovanni Cantizano
Cautions for Rosario Central:
18’ 2T Agustín Módica (Unsporting behavior)
32’ 2T Carlos Quintana (Holding an opponent)
Substitutions for Unión:
69’ 2T – Cristian Tarragona was substituted for Marcelo Estigarribia
74’ 2T – Franco Fragapane was replaced by Lionel Verde
86’ 2T – Lucas Gamba was substituted for Diego Díaz
Cautions for Unión:
34’ 1T Mauricio Martínez (Unsporting behavior)
14’ 2T Julián Palacios (Holding an opponent)
42’ 2T Marcelo Estigarribia (Unsporting behavior)
46’ 2T Franco Pardo (Unsporting behavior)