Seven-Goal Thriller: Central Córdoba Edge Platense in Liga Profesional Shootout
CA Central Córdoba and CA Platense produced one of the most entertaining matches of the Liga Profesional Apertura so far, with the hosts claiming a 4–3 victory after a topsy-turvy encounter on matchday 15.
The visitors struck first on 20 minutes, when Franco Zapiola opened the scoring for Platense. Central Córdoba needed only four minutes to respond: Alejandro Maciel levelled the match at 1–1, finishing a move set up by Matías Vera.
The turnaround was completed before the break. In the 35th minute, Fernando Martínez put Central Córdoba 2–1 ahead, converting after good work from Michael Santos to send the home side into half-time with the advantage.
Early in the second half, the hosts appeared to take full control. At 50 minutes, Ezequiel Naya made it 3–1, giving Central Córdoba a two-goal cushion. Platense responded with a double substitution on 56 minutes, introducing Tomás Nasif and Bautista Merlini in search of a way back.
The changes eventually paid off. Nicolás Retamar reduced the deficit to 3–2 in the 71st minute, briefly swinging momentum towards the visitors. However, Central Córdoba struck again just five minutes later. Diego Barrera restored the two-goal lead at 4–2 in the 76th minute, finishing after an assist from substitute Horacio Tijanovich.
Platense refused to give in. In the 87th minute, Merlini pulled another goal back to make it 4–3, with Nasif providing the assist and setting up a tense finale. Despite further late substitutions by Central Córdoba, including the withdrawal of Martínez, Vera and Naya in stoppage time, the home side held on for all three points.
The match also saw several bookings, with Thiago Cravero, Lucas González, Diego Barrera, goalkeeper Alan Aguerre and Naya all cautioned for Central Córdoba, while Iván Gómez received a yellow card for Platense.
More detailed statistics, lineups and post-match reactions were not available at the time of writing. For additional match information, visit the full match page on Ballaxy or the competition hub for the Liga Profesional.
Liga Profesional Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
CS Independiente Rivadavia
|
16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 15 | 14 | 34 | D W D W |
| 2 |
CA River Plate
|
16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 29 | L W L W W |
| 3 |
AA Argentinos Juniors
|
16 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 29 | L W W L W |
| 4 |
CA Rosario Central
|
16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 20 | 16 | 4 | 28 | D W W L W |
| 5 |
CA Belgrano
|
16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 26 | W L D W L |
| 6 |
Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata
|
16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 26 | W W W W L |
| 7 |
CA Huracán
|
16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 22 | D L D W W |
| 8 |
Racing Club
|
16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 15 | 2 | 21 | D D D L L |
| 9 |
CA Barracas Central
|
16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 21 | L D D W |
| 10 |
CA Tigre
|
16 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 20 | D L D D |
| 11 |
CA Sarmiento de Junín
|
16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 19 | L W L L |
| 12 |
CA Banfield
|
16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 19 | -2 | 18 | W D D L L |
| 13 |
CA Tucumán
|
16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 20 | -5 | 14 | W D L D L |
| 14 |
CA Aldosivi
|
16 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 19 | -13 | 8 | D L D L D |
| 15 |
Estudiantes de Río Cuarto
|
16 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 24 | -19 | 5 | L L L L D |
| 1 |
Estudiantes de La Plata
|
16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 31 | W D W W |
| 2 |
CA Boca Juniors
|
16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 22 | 9 | 13 | 30 | W W W D |
| 3 |
CA Vélez Sarsfield
|
16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 28 | D D D W |
| 4 |
CA Talleres
|
16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 26 | D D W W |
| 5 |
CA Independiente
|
16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 24 | W L W D W |
| 6 |
CA Lanús
|
16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 24 | D D L W |
| 7 |
CA San Lorenzo de Almagro
|
16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 22 | L W D D |
| 8 |
CA Unión
|
16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 21 | D D L L |
| 9 |
Instituto AC Córdoba
|
16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 21 | W D L W W |
| 10 |
CSyD Defensa y Justicia
|
16 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 21 | -3 | 19 | L L L L L |
| 11 |
CA Gimnasia y Esgrima de Mendoza
|
16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 22 | -8 | 19 | W L W D |
| 12 |
CA Platense
|
16 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 16 | L L L D |
| 13 |
CA Central Córdoba
|
16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 21 | -10 | 16 | L D W L L |
| 14 |
CA Newell's Old Boys
|
16 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 27 | -12 | 15 | D D W D W |
| 15 |
CD Riestra
|
16 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 11 | D W L L |
