The Avellaneda Derby was everything that comes to our minds when we think of the Argentine Football. At the Estadio Presidente Peron – or popularly known as El Cilindro de Avellaneda-, Racing hosted their arch-rivals Independiente in the 19th matchweek of the Argentine Superliga. What a game it was.

Or should I say what a war it was?

Hosts Racing had two players sent off – goalkeeper Gabriel Arias, and Leonardo Sigali -, saw the Argentine Reds dominate the whole second half, and still, could kill the game off with an 86th-minute goal from Chilean Marcelo Diaz, that made the Cilindro erupts.

With the 1-0 win, Racing moved up to 5th place, with 31 points. Independiente parked in the 14th place, with 25 points.

The match started on fire, but not in the way we would like to. Due to the heated up rivalry between both sides, the game quickly became too physical, and we would surely see a lot of discussions, beef, and confusions throughout the match. And that’s also entertaining, come on!

On 38 mins, Racing’s keeper, Arias, was shown a straight red due to he rushing out of his goal line and handing the ball outside of the box to stop a promising attack from Independiente.

One man down, Racing manager Sebastian Beccacece was forced to sub-off David Barbona and to introduce goalkeeper Garcia. And honestly? Maybe it was his best choice in the year.

Racing even hit the post through a Walter Montoya finish from distance, but the first half ended up like that.

In the first action of the second half, the situation got even worse for Racing. That’s due to the experienced defender Leonardo Sigali got also sent off after elbowing Leandro Fernandez.

Then, down to 9-man, Beccacece decided to go full defense and introduced two defenders, nearly killing the offensive actions from his own team.

Independiente spent the whole second half at Racing’s field and threatened goalkeeper Garcia a lot. However, the keeper was on an inspired day and saved Racing with important saves.

Following some chances wasted from Independiente, they got punished on the 86th min, Racing’s only attack in the second half. In a counter-attack, substitute Dario Cvitanich passed it to Diaz, who got unmarked inside the box and tapped in past Campana, and making Racing fans erupt, singing their widely known chant “Fellas, Bring Wine, Racing plays today!”

It was a controversial goal though. The ball hit Cvitanich’s arm before his pass to Diaz, but as the Argentine League does not count on the VAR, the goal stayed.

Either way, Racing’s goal literally destroyed Independiente’s mental game. After that, the Reds had two players sent off as well. Cecilio Dominguez and Lucas Romero were shown red cards for confusions with Racing players, as the referee whistled for the last time.

Honestly, guys, it was an emotional game, and I highly recommend everyone out there to watch the Argentine league.

Following the spectacular 1-0 win, Racing travels to face Colon on Friday. Independiente’s next match will be for the Copa Sudamericana – South America’s UEFA Europa League equivalent- against Brazilian side Fortaleza, at home.