HERNAN ALVAREZ
BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Guido Carrillo scored a stoppage-time equalizer, Franco Pardo scored in a penalty shootout against Fernando Muslera and Estudiantes de La Plata beat Racing de Avellaneda on Saturday to become champions of Argentina's Clausura 2025 soccer tournament.
The Pincharratas won on penalties 5-4 after the score was 1-1 after 120 minutes of the match, played at the neutral site of the Estadio Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero. After the coronation, they will compete in the 2026 Copa Libertadores America.
Pardo shook the right post of Uruguayan Muslera's goal, sparking the La Plata club's celebration.
Adrian Martinez opened the scoring for the Racing team in the 80th minute, and Carrillo equalized in the second added minute of the match with a little rhythm. Heat of about 31 degrees Celsius at the start of the crash forced regular efforts.
Carrillo had the clearest situation in the first half. The striker scored hard, but his shot was saved in the 29th by goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses.
The second half was very short and there was little zone play before Racing's goal.
Martinez controlled the poor clearance of Pincharrata's defenders in the area. Muslera tried to jump out but the striker dodged before firing a very precise shot over the far post.
Estudiantes scored with Carrillo's header following a superb cross from Jose Sosa's free kick. This required an extension, which neither team was able to take advantage of.
Estudiantes Sosa, Lucas Alario, Joaquin Tobio Burgos, Eric Mesa and Facundo Rodriguez scored in the penalty shootout. Edwin Sætre skipped the second DJ.
Martinez, Luciano Vietto, Agustin Garcia Basso and Santiago Sosa scored for Racing. Gaston Martirena missed his fourth throw and Pardo missed his sixth.
“It’s an inexplicable emotion,” Carrillo said. “The day I was expelled and given four dates for which there was no justification, I knew this could happen. These have been very difficult weeks. Today it was my turn to help. It's a credit to this group, which has tremendous power.”
Regarding his participation in the Libertadores, he commented: “This club is destined to fight it and be reborn in the most difficult moments.”
The red and white club was fined for turning its back on the Rosario Central players, for whom a lineout had to be held on November 23. The reason for this retribution for the scoundrels was the new title that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) awarded them without prior notice for scoring the most points in two tournaments of the year.
The position of opposition led to sanctions against Estudiantes players (two matches due to be completed in 2026) and club president Juan Sebastian Veron (six months ban from football activities).
Pincharrata's leader was in the stadium in Santiago, but not in the authorities' boxes. He celebrated the championship on the podium with fans of his party.
The actions that led to the sanctions are part of a long-running confrontation between Veron and AFA President Claudio “Chiki” Tapia.
This is Eduardo Dominguez's fourth title as Rojiblanco coach after winning the 2023 Copa Argentina, 2024 Professional League Cup and 2024 Champions Cup.
fan accident
Early Saturday morning, three buses carrying Estudiantes fans to Santiago del Estero collided with each other. The accident occurred on National Route 8 near Solis (Buenos Aires).
Three were slightly injured and taken to area hospitals. After a few hours, the buses were replaced by others to continue the trip.
