Forgotten Ajax loanee steals the show thousands of kilometres away

Gastón Ávila proved decisive for Rosario Central again on Saturday. The defender, on loan from Ajax, scored twice against Sarmiento (1-2), including the winner in the 95th minute. The Argentinian now has seven goals in 27 matches.

After just five minutes, Manuel García put Sarmiento ahead. Ávila levelled for Rosario Central in the 29th minute after good work from Enzo Copetti. The sides went into the break at 1-1.

Ángel Di María had to go off injured in the 59th minute. Eight minutes later, Renzo Orihuela was sent off for a foul on Copetti, leaving Sarmiento with ten men.

Late on, Santiago Salle was also sent off after a hard foul on Ávila. The referee initially showed him a yellow card, then changed it to red after VAR intervened. Rosario Central pushed for a winner against nine men.

Ávila struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time. After a pass from Ignacio Ovando, the left-footer controlled the ball superbly and fired home to make it 1-2.

In the summer of 2023, Ajax paid Royal Antwerp €12.5 million for Ávila, a fee that could rise to €14.5 million with bonuses. But the defender failed to convince in Amsterdam and played just eight official matches.

The 25-year-old defender has rediscovered his form in Argentina and recently become a regular in the side. Rosario Central have an option to buy, while his contract with Ajax runs until mid-2028.

Under coach Jorge Almirón, Rosario Central have won four of their last five matches and drawn the other. With 31 points, they currently top Group B of the Torneo Clausura and are closing in on a place in the knockout stage.