Fernando Romero Nuñez Central Córdoba beat Vélez Sarsfield 1-0 on Wednesday to win the 2024 Copa Argentina final. The team from Santiago del Estero province claimed its first ever top-tier national level title and secured a spot in the 2025 Copa Libertadores.
The final, played at the Unión 15 de Abril stadium in Santa Fe, proved a tightly contested affair. But just nine minutes in, Vélez got the first chance to score. Forward Maher Carrizo received a through ball from striker Braian Romero for a clear shot on goal, but was foiled by goalkeeper Luis Ingolotti.
The match also had its fair share of controversy. In the 19th minute, Vélez defender Elías Gómez had a shot inside the six-yards box, which deflected off rival defender Lucas Abascia. With no VAR review in the Copa Argentina, the call fell entirely to referee Yael Falcón Pérez, who considered it a non-punishable handball as the player was diving to clear the shot.
In the 41st minute Central Córdoba had its biggest chance of the first half, as forward Matías Godoy pulled off an acrobatic scissor kick, saved on the line by Vélez goalkeeper Tomás Marchiori.
The second half started in much the same fashion. Four minutes in, Vélez fans were left clamoring for another handball as Ingolotti used his hands and body to recover a loose ball outside the box.
The Santiago del Estero side managed to break the tie at the 54 minute mark. As Godoy took the ball out wide in a counter attack, his attempted cross ended up in the back of the goal, with Marchiori unable to back pedal to clear it.
With the scoreboard at 1-0, Central Córdoba defended deeper and deeper as the minutes progressed. Vélez, however, was unable to break down the defense, out of attacking ideas and showing signs of exhaustion.
The biggest chance for Gustavo Quinteros’s side was a 91st minute long-range shot by defender Valentín Gómez, which clashed against the crossbar.
Known as El Ferroviario (the railway team) as it was founded by railway workers, Central Córdoba is the most successful team in Santiago del Estero, with 48 regional league titles. Having made a return to the Argentine Primera División in 2019, the win tastes like vindication for the fans after they lost the 2019 Copa Argentina final to River Plate.
“This is a huge reward for us,” said head coach Omar de Felippe, who’s a Malvinas War veteran. “It gives the club the chance to grow. We’re etching our names into the history of a very humble club and a very humble province.”
For Vélez, things didn’t end so well. Several players, including former team captain Santiago Cáseres, climbed into the stands to brawl with fans who insulted them after the loss. Others, like youngster Carrizo and defender Valentín Gómez were seen crying after the final whistle.
“We feel indebted to our fans,” said head coach Quinteros after the game. “We owe them something very precious like a title is.”
Quinteros, who complained about the tight game schedule for his team, added the league leaders had another shot at glory on Sunday — Vélez needs a win at home against Huracán to secure the Primera División title.
The Central Córdoba win also spelled bad news for Boca Juniors. The Xeneize can no longer make it directly to the 2025 Copa Libertadores group stage, instead having to settle for a preliminary phase spot, assuming the Liniers team is crowned on Sunday. If Huracán beats Vélez and claims the Primera División title, the team led by Fernando Gago will instead play the 2025 Copa Sudamericana.
Editorial disclaimer: Although the UK refers to the territory as the “Falklands Islands,” Argentina strongly contests this name. The Buenos Aires Herald uses “Malvinas” to refer to the islands.
