A Draw Full of Drama in Rosario

Rosario Central and Racing Club ended their Matchday 2 clash of the Torneo Clausura 2026 with a goalless draw, but the match was far from boring. A spectacular goal was disallowed by VAR, leaving fans and players in disbelief.

The Controversial Goal: Mallo's Backheel Masterpiece

The most electrifying moment came in the 10th minute of the second half. Uruguayan defender Facundo Mallo produced a stunning backheel finish after a scramble in the box, sparked by a free kick from Ángel Di María. The crowd erupted in joy, but assistant referee José Castelli immediately raised his flag for offside.

A lengthy VAR review followed, with Yamil Possi and Carla López analyzing the play. After several minutes, referee Hernán Mastrángelo confirmed the offside by a millimeter, using Marcos Rojo as the last defender. The goal was disallowed, and the stadium fell silent.

Match Overview: Chances and Misses

The first half saw Rosario Central dominate possession, with Jaminton Campaz causing trouble and Ángel Di María dictating play. However, they lacked a final touch. Racing Club relied on counterattacks and had two golden opportunities: Lautaro Díaz missed a one-on-one, and Santiago Solari hit the crossbar.

After the disallowed goal, the game slowed down. Central lost momentum, and Racing defended compactly. Coach Jorge Almirón brought on Lucas Cervi and Francisco Navarro to spark the attack, but the spark never came. The draw ended a three-match losing streak for Central, but the home fans expressed their frustration with whistles at the final whistle.

Coaches' Reactions

Racing's manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda, in his third game in charge, valued the point: “We appreciate the point. We had two great chances in the first half, and I would have liked more control in the second.” He praised his team's defensive solidity.

For Central, the draw stopped the rot but left a bitter taste. Almirón faces pressure to turn the team around after a poor start to the Clausura.

A Proud Moment Before Kickoff

Before the match, Rosario Central honored Giovani Lo Celso, a former player who recently represented Argentina in the 2026 World Cup. The tribute filled the stadium with pride and emotion.