AL AIN, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) -Racing Club’s Gonzalo Piovi scored a 98th-minute penalty as they beat Boca Juniors 2-1 to lift the Argentine Super Cup after coming from behind at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates on Friday.
Facundo Roncaglia gave Argentine league champions Boca the lead in the 17th minute but Racing’s Johan Carbonero equalised within three minutes and it was level deep into stoppage time.
Left back Piovi then became the hero for Racing in the dying minutes of the showdown, played outside Argentina for the first time, by scoring from the spot after a handball to secure the trophy, two months after they won the Champions Cup.
Boca Juniors had gone ahead after Roncaglia fired home a powerful volley at the near post but Carbonero equalised soon after by latching onto a pinpoint through ball from Maxi Moralez before unleashing an incredible shot from distance.
Boca goalkeeper Javier Garcia made a crucial save in the 42nd minute and their midfielder Juan Ramirez came close in the second half when his powerful left-foot shot went just wide.
Racing also twice came close as Garcia had to block a long-range effort from Anibal Moreno before Carbonero missed a golden chance when he fired into the side-netting after getting past the onrushing keeper in the box.
The contest was finally decided by late drama as Racing were awarded a penalty following a handball by Gonzalo Agustin Sandez and Piovi made no mistake, sending his shot into the bottom right corner to spark celebrations among his team mates.
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
