Striker Ángel Di María returned to Argentine football after 18 years, was received by thousands of fans and scored a penalty goal for Rosario Central, which drew 1-1 as a principal with Godoy Cruz on Saturday (12) in the first round of the local Clausura tournament.
The return of the player was the highlight in this start of the championship, with a warm reception for the emblematic player of the Argentine team, with which he became world champion in Qatar 2022 and two -time champion of America (2021 and 2024).
Faced with about 48,000 spectators who filled the Giant of Arroyito in Rosario, 300 km from Buenos Aires, Di María showed some flashes of his skill, with speed and clarity in the game on his return to the club where he began his career two decades ago.
The twelve minutes of the end of the match, referee Pablo Druly marked a contested penalty and little imported Di María, who placed the home team in advantage with a cross -handed kick from the eleven meters brand.
But the joy was short -lived for the Rosarinos, because Di María had to go out due to a strong pisada of Uruguayan Vicente Poggi on 86 minutes.
Shortly thereafter, already in additions (90+5), Poggi himself scored the Godoy Cruz equalizer with a right touch inside the area.
“We played a good game. We had a lot of opportunities in the first half, with the ball set and so we got the advantage, but we couldn’t hold on. It’s a pity, because we were playing a good game and so little, but so is football,” Di María said after the end.
About the progress of the match, marked by many fouls, pointed out that “Argentine football is like that. I’m fine, it was a foot and nothing more. We wanted to give the fans a joy and start the semester well, but we couldn’t.”
