Argentinos Juniors vs Vélez Sarsfield Match Report
Velez Sarsfield practically kissed goodbye to their chances of winning the Apertura championship after falling 3-1 to Argentinos Juniors in La Paternal on Saturday. Velez boss Ricardo Gareca fielded a side mixed with starters and reserves due to their Copa Sudamericana commitments next week and paid the consequences.
The first period lacked action and it seemed destined to end without a goal, however, on the stroke of half-time Santiago Salcedo appeared in the area to poke home a Gustavo Oberman cross.
Ten minutes into the second half Argentinos went two-up, when Velez defender Sebastian Dominguez turned another Oberman cross into his own net.
After the goal Argentinos took their foot off the pedal, and their approach proved costly as Velez pulled a goal back, when in the 63rd minute Emiliano Papa sent a free-kick into the area and Guillermo Franco, who was left totally unmarked, headed the ball into the back of the net.
The goal sparked Velez into life, and they went in search of the equaliser, however, in the 71st minute goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero brought down Roberto Brum in the area for a penalty kick, and was sent-off too. Paraguayan striker Salcedo stepped up to the spot and made no mistake to seal Argentinos an important victory.