Newell’s finished the 2022 Liga AFA season with an away draw at newly-promoted Barracas Central on Monday afternoon.
An ill-disciplined first half saw The Lepers concede two penalties for fouls in the box. Julián Fernández’s elbow on Salvareschi needed VAR to confirm the foul but Iván Tapia’s resulting penalty was brilliantly saved by Lautaro Morales, in potentially his last match for Newell’s before returning to parent club Lanús.
The second penalty that Newell’s fell victim too was as clear as day. Juan Manuel García raced back to defend the Newell’s goal before hacking down Valenzuela who assumed the role of penalty kick taker in the aftermath of the foul. Valenzuela, perhaps Barracas’ most dangerous player on the field, made no mistake this time, firing his penalty past Morales to give the home side the lead.
Newell’s looked more potent in the second half and came close to a quick equaliser when Facundo Mansilla’s downward header cracked the frame of the goal. Adrián Coria’s substitutions would eventually get La Lepra back into the game and it only took Ramiro Sordo one touch of the ball to draw Newell’s level. He was only on the pitch seconds when he took advantage of a defensive mistake to hit a first-time shot sweetly and beyond Arce in the Barracas goal.
Newell’s had some half-chances through Armando Méndez and Sordo again as the clock ticked down but a draw was probably a fair result in the final game of the season.
With Copa Sudamericana qualification confirmed, Newell’s can now look forward to an exciting 2023 under a new coach.
Watch the highlights of the match below.
