To make Javier Altamirano proud. In the second semifinal of the Argentine Professional League Cup, Estudiantes de La Plata became a finalist of the championship, after drawing 1-1 with Boca Juniors at the Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba and then winning on penalties.
The Xeneizes were superior in the first half and after missing clear chances, they went into halftime ahead on the scoreboard. In the 41st minute, Luis Advíncula put in a cross and Miguel Merentiel connected it perfectly for the celebration of those led by Diego Martínez.
In the complement the Bostero team could have increased, but they forgave and paid dearly for it. An unusual infraction by Cristián Lema against Tiago Palacios ended in a penalty in favor of Pincharrata and the defender was sent off. Colombian Edwuin Cetré (76′) took responsibility and established equality.
The key had to be decided in a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Matías Mansilla blocked the first one from Edinson Cavani. but Sergio Romero quickly responded by stopping Cetré’s. Subsequently, the Merentiel Beast sent his shot to the crossbar.
Eros Mancuso shot Chiquito and scored the first of the round in favor of the Altamirano team. Goalkeeper Mansilla grew big again by stopping Jorge Figal’s shot, allowing Mauro Méndez to score 3-1 in the shootout to put Eduardo Domínguez’s team in the final.
Estudiantes left Boca on the road and qualified for the grand final of the Argentine League Cup, where they will play for the title against Vélez Sarsfield of Gustavo Quinteros next Sunday, May 5 at 3:30 p.m. in Santiago del Estero.
