Ángel Di María’s brace rescues Rosario Central in a 2-2 draw

A 2-2 draw after Rosario Central’s second-half response

Talleres Cordoba and Rosario Central drew 2-2 at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Liga Profesional Argentina’s Clausura - 6, after a match in which Rosario Central controlled much of the play but had to recover from a two-goal deficit. Talleres led 1-0 at half-time, but Ángel Di María scored twice after the break to secure a point for the visitors.

Talleres took the lead in the 21st minute when A. Alvarez converted a penalty. Rosario Central had more possession before the interval, yet Jorge Sampaoli’s side protected its advantage and went into the break ahead. Valentin Depietri then doubled the lead two minutes into the second half, finishing a move assisted by Timoteo Chamorro.

The response from Jorge Almiron’s team was immediate. Di María reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in the 55th minute, and eight minutes later he completed his brace with a normal goal assisted by Franco Ibarra. The equaliser changed the outcome of a match that had appeared to be moving in Talleres’ favour after Depietri’s goal.

Central dominated the numbers

Rosario Central’s 65% possession and 525 total passes compared with Talleres’ 35% and 286 passes reflected the visitors’ control. Central also produced 23 total shots to Talleres’ six, had 10 shots on goal to three, and won nine corners while Talleres had one. The expected-goals figures also favoured Central, 2.41 to 1.67.

Those statistics did not translate into a victory. Ezequiel Unsaín made eight saves for Talleres, helping the hosts preserve their lead before Di María’s goals. Central goalkeeper performance was far less demanding, with one save recorded. The scoreline therefore contrasted sharply with the shot count and territorial advantage, as Talleres made its limited attacking opportunities count.

Cards, changes and league impact

The match featured several disciplinary moments. Rosario Central’s V. Pizarro, A. Rodriguez, coach J. Almiron, E. Copetti, F. Ibarra and Di María were booked at different stages, while Talleres’ Depietri, coach J. Sampaoli, A. Schott and V. Fascendini also received yellow cards. Di María was cautioned in the 90th minute after his decisive two-goal contribution.

The draw gives Talleres one point after entering the round 15th in Clausura Group A with three points from five matches, taking the team to four points. Rosario Central entered fifth in Group B with 10 points and moves to 11. Both sides had most recently lost, so neither added a victory, but Central avoided another defeat despite conceding twice.

Di María was the standout performer, earning a 9.9 rating after scoring twice and registering five shots on target. Unsaín’s eight saves also underlined his importance to Talleres in securing the draw.