Estudiantes de La Plata wins Copa Argentina, ending 13-year dry spell

The Pincharrata will playing next year’s Copa Libertadores with the memory of Alejandro Sabella fresh in fans’ minds

Estudiantes de La Plata beat Defensa y Justicia 1-0 on Wednesday to win the Copa Argentina for the first time in its history. The Pincharrata ended a 13-year dry spell and will play in next year’s Copa Libertadores.

Estudiantes lifted its twelfth title in the professional era on a special occasion, as the game was the farewell for goalkeeper Mariano Andújar and striker Mauro Boselli. The two are Pincharrata icons thanks to their key role in the 2009 Copa Libertadores victory under the Alejandro Sabella, who passed away in December 2020.

Early in the game, Defensa y Justicia looked like the better side. The team coached by Julio Vaccari controlled the ball and had some great chances to score. Just five minutes in, fullback Agustín Sant’Anna put a cross into the box for forward Santiago Solari, which nearly ended in an own goal by Estudiantes defender Zaid Romero as the ball crashed into the crossbar.

However, it would be Estudiantes who came out of half time looking better. The team coached by Eduardo Dominguez took the lead in the 54th minute, as defender Leonardo Godoy broke into the opposition’s box and put in a low cross that Guido Carrillo scored after some scrambling.

As the minutes passed, Estudiantes strengthened its resolve while Defensa lost its edge. The Pincharrata’s experienced players took control of the game and didn’t give their rivals any opportunities. The only highlights of the dying minutes came when Defensa’s Alexis Soto and Estudiantes’ Pablo Piatti were both sent off after receiving a second yellow card each.

“I’m very touched, I want to thank my teammates, the club and people who love me,” said Andújar, who tops the list for most appearances between the Estudiantes goalposts. “I don’t know if I’m going to retire. Now I just want to enjoy this moment, because winning a title and making history isn’t easy. Having entered the history of a club like Estudiantes makes my chest burst with joy.”

Estudiantes fans gathered in Plaza Moreno, in front of the La Plata Municipality and the Cathedral, to celebrate the title. At 3 a.m. the team went onto the balcony of the building to join the fans, where Andujar paid tribute to Sabella: “As Alejandro once said, in this same square, the town is in order, guys.”

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