Santiago del Estero staged a final of sharp turns and an untidy finish as Rosario Central defeated Estudiantes de La Plata 3-1 to lift Argentina’s Supercopa Internacional at the Estadio Madre de Ciudades.
Ángel Di María drove Central’s comeback with two goals after Alexis Castro had put Estudiantes ahead. Julián Fernández then struck from distance late on to settle the score, before celebrations around the third goal gave way to a confrontation involving players and members of both coaching staffs.
Quick facts
- Rosario Central beat Estudiantes de La Plata 3-1 in Santiago del Estero.
- The result secured the Supercopa Internacional for the Rosario club.
- Alexis Castro opened the scoring for Estudiantes.
- Ángel Di María scored twice to reverse the match.
- Julián Fernández completed the victory with a late long-range finish.
- Darío Herrera tried to separate those involved in a post-goal melee.
The match had carried a strained edge well before its closing minutes, with both sides protesting refereeing calls. Estudiantes held their lead through Castro, but Di María shifted the balance with a decisive double that put Central in command of the final.
As Estudiantes pushed forward in search of an equaliser, spaces opened behind them. Fernández found one and sent a long-range effort in for Central’s third, effectively closing the contest.
The goal immediately triggered heated exchanges. Central’s players began celebrating while Estudiantes personnel challenged them, and pushing escalated into punches and insults among figures from both camps.
Referee Herrera attempted to restore order, but the dispute spread and several players headed towards the dressing-room area. Further clashes were reported there after the on-field incident.
The bad feeling had a recent backdrop. Rosario Central’s recognition as champions of the 2025 season had already caused friction, as had an earlier match in which Estudiantes formed a guard of honour while facing away from the Central players.
Central were eventually presented with the trophy, with Di María’s goals central to a comeback victory. Yet the images leaving the Madre de Ciudades were not solely of silverware: the final’s final act was a confrontation that overshadowed the Rosario side’s celebration.
