Newell’s Old Boys missed a promising opportunity to make strides in moving up the Liga AFA table on Monday afternoon, only registering a draw with lowly Unión.
Heinze played his strongest team and they started well with Brian Aguirre typically at the forefront of all attacks. Aguirre hit the post after just 5 minutes and was involved with a second chance cannoning off the goal-frame again moments later when Cristian Ferreira met his cross with a header from close-range.
Newell’s were rewarded for a fast start midway through the first-half when Iván Gómez’s long-range shot was spilled by Unión keeper Santiago Mele with Jorge Recalde on-hand to finish the rebound; his 3rd goal in 5 games for Newell’s.
It remained a narrow lead for Newell’s going into the second-half but they should have been 2-0 up on 49 minutes but for a highly controversial refereeing call. Ramiro Sordo looked to have broken the offside trap to go through on goal before rolling it across for Aguirre to finish. The flag went up immediately and the referee consulted with VAR over his earpiece for a number of minutes. Replays showed that Sordo was onside but the goal was chalked off, with the referee seemingly being instructed by the VAR assistants.
This incident seemed to knock the collective confidence of Newell’s and a drop in concentration allowed Unión to equalise against the run of play, winer Kevin Zenon getting forward to finish a low cross at the back post which should have been dealt with.
Newell’s couldn’t muster any clearcut opportunities in the final half an hour to claw their lead back and it finished a point apiece.
Watch the highlights of the match below.
