Giovanni Cantizano earned Rosario Central a point with a late goal in a 1-1 draw away to Banfield on Saturday. The 19-year-old academy product fired in a near-impossible shot inside the post to beat Ruso Rodríguez in the 79th minute, cancelling out Tomás Adoryan's long-range strike that had put the hosts ahead.
The match at the Estadio Florencio Sola started roughly for Jorge Almirón's side. Gaspar Duarte had to be substituted before the 15th minute for Julián Fernández. Soon after, Adoryan struck from about 30 yards out to make it 1-0 in the 41st minute. A young fan even ran onto the pitch to embrace Ángel Di María following that goal, a moment that drew attention. Banfield, who will face Boca Juniors in the Copa Argentina semi-finals, came close to a second when Rocky Balboa rattled the crossbar with a shot.
The Canalla response
Rosario Central, fresh from celebrating the Supercopa Argentina win over Estudiantes in Santiago del Estero, showed character to fight back. The introduction of youthful energy with Cantizano proved decisive. The midfielder received a pass from Franco Ibarra and finished with precision to give his team a lifeline. This result allows Central to maintain their positive run in the Torneo Clausura, where they now have 19 points and sit in third place, just two points behind leaders Argentinos Juniors.
Goalkeeper Jorge Broun and the defence had work to do against a motivated Banfield side, who are 25th in the Tabla Anual. Despite the home pressure, Almirón's team managed to stabilise and push for the equaliser. The support of around 3,500 travelling fans, who had celebrated near the Flag Monument the previous week, urged them on until the end. After the final whistle, the players did a lap of honour in front of their supporters.
With this point, Rosario Central extends their unbeaten run in the league to five matches, with three wins and two draws. Ángel Di María, the team's top scorer this season with 8 goals in 24 appearances, was a constant threat though he did not find the net. The team now turns its focus to its next home fixture against Independiente Rivadavia on October 11th, an opponent sitting fifth in the table.
The draw at Banfield shows the resilience of a Central side determined to stay in the title race. Cantizano's goal, his first in the top flight, arrives at a key moment for the club's Clausura ambitions.
First reported at La Nacion AR Deportes
Goalkeeper Jeremías Ledesma analyzed the 1-1 draw against Banfield and launched a critique about the perception of clubs from outside the capital. "It seems to bother people to see Central up there," the goalkeeper stated in comments to the club's press. Ledesma highlighted that teams outside Buenos Aires face greater difficulties and scrutiny. El Canalla, third in the Liga Profesional with 19 points, will look to add points at home against Independiente Rivadavia on October 11.
