Power Outage at Stadium Premiere: Rosario Central Wins with a Stunning Goal

A Night to Remember at the Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia Stadium

What was supposed to be a celebration turned into an unusual episode. Barracas Central was debuting its new lighting system at the Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia Stadium on Sunday, August 16, 2026, but the light and fireworks show that accompanied the teams' entrance ended in a total blackout. The new towers stopped working, leaving the stadium in darkness, with only the advertising boards and one screen lit.

Referee Pablo Dóvalo explained on the official broadcast that the Professional League authorities informed him it was a 'problem with the electrical panel'. After waiting a few minutes on the field, the teams returned to the locker rooms, and the match finally kicked off at 8:50 PM, 35 minutes later than scheduled.

The Canalla Took All Three Points with a Wonder Goal

Once the match finally started, Rosario Central showed its class. In the 38th minute of the first half, Facundo Mallo set up Alan Rodríguez, who performed a self-pass in the air and, inside the box, unleashed a remarkable shot to make it 1-0, the final score.

The team coached by Jorge Almirón, which fielded an alternative lineup due to the fatigue from Thursday's match against Corinthians in the Copa Libertadores, controlled the game and could have extended the lead. In the second half, Pol Fernández almost scored with a free kick that found Badaloni, but the ball went over the crossbar.

Barracas searched for the equalizer with the introduction of Jhonatan Candia, who had two clear chances, but goalkeeper Axel Werner responded with two decisive saves, the second in the 49th minute of the second half, when Candia was one-on-one and Werner blocked his shot, with Mallo clearing the rebound.

Almirón: 'There Was Great Seriousness and Commitment for the Shirt'

In the press conference, the Canalla coach highlighted the value of the victory: 'It wasn't easy to come here and the team did it very well. Everyone showed great seriousness and commitment for the shirt. I'm proud of what they did.'

Almirón also referred to the rotation: 'On Thursday there was a lot of fatigue, and playing again today could have caused someone to get injured. But everyone is fine.' He also praised debutant Sebastián Zaracho, a Paraguayan defender who played his first match for Central.

He also mentioned a mistake on the lineup sheet: 'It was my mistake, luckily we could fix it. I talked to Fede (Navarro), who really wanted to come in. But by regulation, he had to stay out of the bench.'

A Win That Counts Double

With this victory, Rosario Central reaches 10 points in Group B of the 2026 Clausura Tournament and moves up the table. Almirón's team comes from a goalless draw with Corinthians at the Gigante de Arroyito in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16, and on Thursday they will decide the tie in São Paulo.

For Barracas Central, the night was marked by the bizarre blackout and the defeat. Damián Ayude's team couldn't take advantage of their home ground and left empty-handed.

Match Details

Central's next match will be on Thursday, August 20 against Corinthians in São Paulo, for the return leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. Almirón already warned: 'The tie is open and we will play the same way there.'