Newell’s Old Boys went 2 points clear at the top of the Torneo Binance with a magnificent away win at Estudiantes on Saturday evening.
Second-half goals from Ramiro Sordo and substitute Juan Garro will go down as the difference but the victory was built on another infallible defensive performance and a fourth clean sheet in a row. The returning Cristian Lema, back after a 2-game suspension, spearheaded the resistance and dealt with the home side’s efforts to play the game in the air, time after time.
The first-half gave no sign of what was to come with Newell’s lacking urgency in attack and Estudiantes controlling proceedings but without any real offensive threat either.
Newell’s did as they have done since the start of the season; absorbed pressure, stood form in defence and counter-attacked through the front three of García, Sordo and González.
It was that front three who were responsible for both goals. First, González lofted a precise ball into the box for Ramiro Sordo to finish stylishly at the back post with a side footed volley to record his third goal of the season. Just over 15 minutes later, with Newell’s looking more confident in attack, Sordo and García linked up before playing in Juan Garro who finished from close range past Andujár to finish another speedy counter-attack.
Estudiantes pushed in injury-time for a goal but this Newell’s defence, underpinned by goalkeeper Ramiro Macagno, look unbeatable at the moment and never looked close to any sort of collapse.
With this win, Sanguinetti’s La Lepra continue to lead the league table after 5 games and now look forward to a short break from league action as they take on Aldosivi in the Copa Argentina on Wednesday before returning to Rosario to face Patronato on Monday week.
Watch the highlights of the match below.
