Independiente edge fiery clash with Racing, win Avellaneda derby | OneFootball

Independiente defeated Racing 1-0 thanks to a goal by Gabriel Ávalos in a new edition of the Avellaneda derby on matchday 13 of the 2026 Apertura Tournament at the Libertadores de América-Ricardo Enrique Bochini Stadium. When everything was still 0-0, Adrián Maravilla Martínez tried a Panenka penalty and sent it wide.

Nothing happened in the first 15 minutes of the match. Independiente tried to impose themselves and overwhelm Racing, but the Academy set up intelligently with a solid defensive block to prevent dangerous attacks from the home side. Leandro Rey Hilfer did not help either, as he stopped play frequently.

In addition to bringing toughness to the defensive approach, Gustavo Costas instructed his team to stay alert for the counterattack. Little by little, they managed to withstand the early pressure from El Rojo, who tried to control the game but, at least in the first half hour, could not manage it.

The first decent chance in the Avellaneda derby did not come until the 33rd minute. Santiago Montiel controlled the ball and unleashed a long-range shot. Although it went high, it was the first warning sign of danger in the match.

But the Academy responded with an interesting one-on-one chance that Tomás Conechny could not finish with a goal. However, Sebastián Valdez intervened, and did so with his hand. After a VAR review, Rey Hilfer awarded a penalty in the 37th minute.

However, Adrián “Maravilla” Martínez tried to score by dinking it, but sent it over the crossbar. The match remained 0-0, though it at least came to life after a rather dull opening 40 minutes.

Minutes later, an unfortunate incident took place. In the 42nd minute, Independiente fans broke Racing’s bench; members of the coaching staff and substitutes exchanged words with the nearest fans, and the match was stopped. Five minutes later, play resumed.

After a dull first half in which the best moment was Maravilla’s missed penalty, the teams went into the break with the score still 0-0.

In the second half, Independiente created the first danger. Iván Marcone fired from outside the box, but was denied by a great save from Facundo Cambeses, who prevented El Rojo from opening the scoring.

In the 10th minute, Santiago Solari made a great play down the right and crossed for Maravilla Martínez. The Academy’s No. 9 failed to connect properly and missed an unbelievable chance right in front of goal, just as clear as the penalty he missed in the first half.

During the first 30 minutes of the second half, the match changed completely. Independiente grew a little bolder, sharpened up to play more directly, and because they took more risks, they were not as solid at the back, which meant Racing had more chances to counterattack. However, neither side could break the deadlock.

And just as fatigue was beginning to show in both teams, the decisive goal of the match arrived. Santiago Montiel made a good run down the right and delivered a cross perfectly for Gabriel Ávalos, who beat Marco Di Cesare in the duel and poked it home for 1-0 in the 36th minute.

After Independiente’s goal, the match was essentially over. Racing could not create any danger, the minutes ticked away, and Leandro Rey Hilfer blew the final whistle. With more battle than football, El Rojo beat the Academy 1-0 in the Avellaneda derby. Gabriel Ávalos, the hero of the day.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.