Overview

• Newell’s led through a Carlos González header before Facundo Bruera equalized in first‑half stoppage time and Iván Tapia converted the second‑half winner from the spot.
• The decisive penalty followed a VAR review of a handball by Lucas Sosa, with Pablo Dóvalo in the booth and Hernán Mastrángelo on the field.
• Criticism focused on perceived inconsistency from Mastrángelo, with reports recalling a previous meeting in which a similar handball for Newell’s was not awarded when he was on VAR duty.
• Barracas Central reached 14 points and the lead in Zone A, while Newell’s extended a poor run that has fueled anger toward club president Ignacio Astore in the stands.
• Newell’s coach Cristian Fabbiani left without giving post‑match comments, and the club had announced the late-window signing of Paraguayan midfielder Josué Colman on a free transfer until December 2026.