Atletico Tucuman Edge Past Independiente Rivadavia on Penalties
Atletico Tucuman have seen off Independiente Rivadavia in the Copa Argentina quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw that stretched into extra time. The visitors took the tie to penalties and won 4-3 on spot-kicks, while Independiente's A. Arce saw his effort saved in the fifth round. To be fair, both sides carried their weight through a match that demanded resilience rather than flair.
Independiente moved ahead in the dying moments of the first half when A. Arce converted a penalty at 45+2'. The visitors equalised late in normal time through A. Canelo's strike at 90+3', and then extra time belonged to Atletico, who scored twice through F. Sartori and L. Diaz in the 120th minute. By then, the tension had tightened things up considerably — and the shootout merely confirmed that.
Penalty shootout summary
- Atletico Tucuman: Sartori (scored), Diaz (scored), Studer (scored), Granillo (scored), Vigo (missed)
- Independiente Rivadavia: D. Ferreira Namandu (missed), Villalba (missed), Canelo (scored), Arce (missed)
Atletico controlled possession at 54 per cent and registered six shots on target, though none from within the penalty area came to much. Independiente managed three shots on target with 43 per cent accuracy and created one big chance, but their goalkeeper made five saves to keep the score level. The visitors worked the channels more effectively, completing eight of their thirty crosses compared to four of Independiente's fifteen.
There were two yellow cards for the hosts — G. Rios in the 39th minute and Arce in the 78th — while L. Ingolotti picked up a booking for Atletico just before half-time. Independiente made five substitutions, including Rios off in the 79th minute, while Atletico brought on N. Franco in the 84th and M. Fernandez in the 87th. The match ended with a penalty shootout that decided everything, and Atletico Tucuman advance to the semi-finals.
