Newell’s Old Boys fought back from 2-0 down to salvage a draw against Gimnasia at home on Monday night. Gabriel Heinze’s side might have won it late on but for an offside decision against Jorge Recalde who put the ball in the back of the net.
Gimnasia started the match at a rapid pace, scoring goals in the 11th and 24th minutes courtesy of Benjamín Domínguez and a long-range effort from Cristian Tarragona. Newell’s looked unable to cope with the away side’s directness but did grow into the game, looking dangerous from set-pieces.
Guillermo Ortiz grabbed a goal back before half-time for Newell’s by reacting fast to swivel and turn before connecting with an overhead kick from close range after Gimnasia failed to clear.
Newell’s were dealt a blow in the first-half with injuries to Iván Gómez and Ramiro Sordo but it would be their replacements, Lisandro Montenegro and Jeremías Pérez Tica, who would combine for the equaliser. And what a goal it was.
With a Newell’s corner breaking to the edge of the box in the 57th minute, Pérez Tica found Montenegro who launched a spectacular first-time volley straight into the top corner. It was an incredible way for the 20-year-old to get his first goal for the club.
Newell’s pushed for a winner and looked the more likely. The stadium erupted with just minutes remaining when Ortiz knocked on another set-piece into the path of Recalde who finished from point-blank range but the flag went up immediately, leaving Newell’s to be content with a draw, their 8th game in a row without defeat in all competitions.
Watch the highlights of the match below.
