A historic title for the Cordoban Pirate
Belgrano de Córdoba wrote the most glorious page in its history. On Sunday, the team led by Ricardo Zielinski came back from behind twice to beat River Plate 3-2 in the final of the Apertura Tournament, played at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium. This is how he obtained his first star in the First Division of Argentine soccer.
The “Pirate” was once again the executioner of the “Millonario”, whom he had already sent to relegation in 2011 after a promotion. This time, in addition to the title, Belgrano secured his ticket to the 2027 Copa Libertadores and the Champions Trophy. It is the first club indirectly affiliated with the AFA to be crowned champion of the highest category.
Burst comeback at the end
River took the lead twice: first with Facundo Colidio (18′) and then with Tomás Galván (58′). Belgrano equalized on both occasions: Leonardo Morales with a header (26′) and, in the second half, Nicolás Fernández with a penalty (85′). Two minutes later, “Uvita” Fernández himself sealed the comeback with a goal from a forward.
Coach Zielinski, who also coached Belgrano in that class of 2011, won his first championship as a coach. Juan Carlos Olave, goalkeeper in that feat, accompanied him, now as a field assistant.
“It’s crazy, really, God gave me this, he is the scriptwriter of the movie. He put me in these two games and I scored the goals that took us to the title,” declared Fernández, who was also key in the semifinals against Argentinos Juniors.
River, hit by injuries and the expulsion of Coudet
Eduardo Coudet’s team arrived diminished: without the scorer Sebastián Driussi (knee sprain) and with Gonzalo Montiel on the bench. Aníbal Moreno played undercover. In the second half, Marcos Acuña left due to injury, disrupting the last line.
With time up, Coudet was sent off for angrily protesting before referee Yael Falcón Pérez, who sanctioned a controversial penalty handball by Lautaro Rivero that paved the way for the comeback.
Belgrano, which had already eliminated its classic rival Talleres in the round of 16, celebrated a league title for the first time. His fans, overflowing with joy, lived an unforgettable night in Córdoba.




