The Academy had a chance to rise to the top of Zone B and edge closer to Libertadores spots, but Ferroviario equalized at the hour mark to prevent the breakthrough.
Racing faced another setback. As has been the pattern this season, the club failed to deliver when it mattered most: the 1-1 draw with Central Córdoba not only squandered the opportunity to lead Zone B in the Professional League Cup but also left little chance of earning a spot in the 2024 Copa Libertadores from the annual table.
The 2023 Professional League Cup featured a congested calendar with pivotal clashups, and this result added to a season of uneven form for the Avellaneda-based side.
Sebastián Grazzini’s squad produced limited dangerous moments in the opponent’s final third, yet in a rare bright moment Roger Martínez finished emphatically with a well-timed hook to put Racing ahead. The finish reflected his talent and hinted at the player’s sharper days, contrasting with a later spell of difficulty in front of goal.
It seemed the home side would seal the win, but a defensive lapse allowed Mateo Sanabria to arrive untracked at the far post and level the contest, pushing Ferroviario into a position of qualification for the knockout rounds.
Minute by minute Racing vs. Central Córdoba of the 2023 League Cup
The live and direct online summary of Racing vs. Central Córdoba of the League Cup 2023: videos, formations, goals and controversies
- GOAL OF CENTRAL CÓRDOBA: Mateo Sanabria exploited a late defensive miscue by Racing to steer the ball into the net and force a 1-1 tie.
- RACING GOAL: Roger Martínez unlocked the visiting defense with a precise late hook, lifting the home team to a 1-0 lead.
- Ferroviario’s clearest chance came from a low cross into the middle, with Mura hacking the ball away just as Ocampos prepared to finish.
- Racing had two near misses on the counter. First, Canto cleared off the line, and then Mansilla blocked a powerful Piovi shot from a corner.
- Formation snapshots: the two clubs lined up in familiar shapes as the action intensified on a tense night for both sides.
TO RACE
Gabriel Arias, Facundo Mura, Leonardo Sigali, Gonzalo Piovi, Gabriel Rojas; Juan Nardoni, Aníbal Moreno, Agustín Almendra; Emiliano Vecchio; Baltasar Rodríguez, Roger Martínez. Coach: Sebastián Grazzini, Ezequiel Videla
CORDOBA CENTRAL
Matias Mansilla; José Gómez, Sebastián Valdez, Gonzalo Goñi, Gustavo Canto, Juan Meli; Brian Farioli, Mauro Pitton, Leandro Maciel; Cristhian Ocampos, Lucas Gamba. Coach: Omar De Felipe
Source: Goal