Independiente edge fiery Racing clash to win Avellaneda derby | OneFootball

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

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

In addition to setting up a tough defensive approach, Gustavo Costas instructed his team to stay alert for the counterattack. Little by little, they managed to get past the Rojo’s early push, as the home side tried to control the game but, at least in the first half hour, couldn’t manage it.

The first decent move of the Avellaneda derby didn’t come until the 33rd minute. Santiago Montiel controlled the ball and fired from long range. Although the shot went high, it was the first warning sign of danger in the match.

But La Academia responded with an interesting one-on-one chance that Tomás Conechny couldn’t finish for a goal. However, Sebastián Valdez intercepted it, 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 with a chip, but sent it over the crossbar. The match remained 0-0, though it at least came alive after a pretty dull opening 40 minutes.

Minutes later, an unfortunate incident took place. In the 42nd minute, Independiente’s fans broke Racing’s bench, members of the coaching staff and substitutes clashed with the nearest supporters, 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 halftime with the score at 0-0.

In the second half, Independiente had the first warning. Iván Marcone struck from outside the box, but came up against a great save from Facundo Cambeses, who prevented the Rojo from scoring the opener.

In the 10th minute, Santiago Solari made a great run down the right and crossed for Maravilla Martínez. La Academia’s No. 9 couldn’t connect properly and missed an unbelievable chance right in front of goal, 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 became a bit bolder, sharpened up to play more directly, and because it took more risks, it was less solid at the back, which meant Racing had more opportunities on the counterattack. However, neither team could break the deadlock.

And when fatigue was starting to show in both teams, the key goal of the match arrived. Santiago Montiel made a good run down the right and crossed 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, there was hardly any football left to play. Racing couldn’t create any danger, the minutes ticked by, and Leandro Rey Hilfer blew the final whistle. With more fight than football, the Rojo beat La Academia 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.