Unión blow 4-2 lead late in Avellaneda thriller | OneFootball

Photo: Juan Manuel Foglia

By Jonas Reinglestein

Madelón’s team played a first half of the highest level, managing to take a three-goal lead over Independiente, who were living a nightmare in their own home. A controversial penalty awarded by Andrés Merlos changed the atmosphere, and El Rojo ended up tying it 4-4 in stoppage time. This is how Madelón valued it in the press conference: “We played a great match and it’s not easy to score four goals in this stadium.”

Photo: X @clubaunión

Unión returns from Avellaneda with a draw that is hard to explain from a logical point of view. The night looked promising at the Libertadores de América, for much of the night they were superior to Independiente, dominated with authority, and managed to take a three-goal lead over Gustavo Quinteros’ team, who were completely asleep.

El Tate played a first half that was nearly perfect. They were an intense team, clear in recovering the ball, and quick to attack. Tarragona had a good game and Julian Palacios was sharp in attack. Unión were showing off against a giant, and the 3-0 lead was not an exaggeration. They even had a tight offside goal disallowed that could have extended the lead even further. Independiente were overwhelmed, and their fans let them know it.

The Libertadores de América was a real hell for El Rojo. Pussetto’s goal at the end of the first half gave them a bit of hope before halftime.

At the start of the second half came the night’s controversy, the penalty awarded by Andrés Merlos for a shirt pull on Gabriel Ávalos. One of those pulls that happen all the time during a match, often inside the box, and rarely get called. It’s hard to explain what Andrés Merlos saw to award the penalty and give the home side hope. From that non-existent penalty, Ávalos made it 3-2 to put El Rojo back in the game with the whole second half ahead.

See also: The NON-EXISTENT penalty awarded by ANDRÉS MERLOS that revived Independiente

Photo: x @clubaunion

Unión struck again and made it 4-2. From a corner to the left foot of Maizon Rodriguez to bring a bit of justice after the penalty Merlos gifted the home team. By then, the match had already become chaotic. Independiente pushed, found another goal from Ávalos with a cross to the Paraguayan’s head, who took advantage of a poor exit by Matías Mansilla and put Gustavo Quinteros’ team back within reach.

The ending was already heart-stopping, as Madelón described it. The scenario was complicated and everything was coming down on Unión. Estigarribia collided with Solari and ended up with a deep cut on his forehead. Mateo Del Blanco asked to be substituted, and El Rojo was throwing everything forward. In stoppage time, with the entire team in the box, a tremendous header from Juan Fedorco tied the match for Independiente and split the points at the Libertadores de América.

The result is frustrating because the game suggested something else. But if anything was clear, it’s that Unión once again showed that they can play well away from home. Up to the 99th minute, it was a reality to see Unión winning four games in a row. With this draw in Avellaneda, Unión closes out three straight games away from Santa Fe, bringing home seven out of nine possible points, which is no small feat.

That’s why the night has two readings. The frustration of a win that seemed certain. And the certainty that this team can stand on any pitch and go toe-to-toe with any opponent. It seemed like a perfect night and an easy story to tell, but between joy and anger there are only a few minutes, and Unión experienced them all in one night.

The best moments of the 4-4 draw between Independiente and Unión

⚽ Tarragona’s goal at the 13th minute of the first half

⚽ Brahian Cuello scores the second at the 19th minute

⚽ Great finish by Mateo Del Blanco to show off in Avellaneda

⚽ Pussetto pulls one back at the end of the first half

Unión Lineup

Starters

Substitutes

Coach: Leonardo Madelón

Independiente Lineup

Starters

Substitutes

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