Independiente defeated Racing 1-0 in the Avellaneda Derby for matchday 13 of the Torneo Apertura, with a goal from Gabriel Ávalos at the 35th minute of the second half. Adrián 'Maravilla' Martínez missed a penalty in the first half, and there were incidents as local fans broke Racing's substitute bench. The match took place at Estadio Libertadores de América.
Independiente beat Racing 1-0 in a heated Avellaneda Derby on Saturday, April 4, at Estadio Libertadores de América in Avellaneda. The sole goal came from Gabriel Ávalos at the 35th minute of the second half, off a low cross from Santiago Montiel.
In the first half, Racing had a chance to take the lead with a penalty at the 39th minute, awarded for handball by Sebastián Valdez after VAR review by referee Leandro Rey Hilfer. Adrián 'Maravilla' Martínez tried to chip it but sent it over the bar. Independiente goalkeeper Rodrigo Rey said with a laugh: “The guy chips it at me like that and my first reflex is to shout at him. When I saw all the players coming at him I said ‘stop, stop’ and it stayed there. These are things that happen in matches”.
Towards the end of the first half, at the 42nd minute, Independiente fans broke the restraining net and a sheet from Racing's substitute bench, halting play briefly. After the final whistle, Racing defender Marcos Rojo made a spicy gesture to the home crowd.
Racing coach Gustavo Costas defended Martínez in his press conference: “What are we going to tell Maravilla? He scored 200 goals. He gave us so much. He's surely feeling it like every Racing fan and the lads in the locker room”. Final stats: possession 48%-52%, shots on target 8-9 for Independiente and Racing, respectively.
