Controversy erupts in Rosario: Di Lollo's handball ignites protests in Newell's vs. Boca

A contentious handball incident involving Lautaro Di Lollo at the close of the first half between Newell's and Boca Juniors ignited a firestorm of protest at the Coloso Marcelo Bielsa stadium.

With Boca leading 1-0, Newell's pressed for an equalizer. In the final moments before halftime, a set piece delivered into the Boca box saw an attacker flick the ball towards goal. The ball struck Di Lollo's left arm, which was close to his body, but the contact undeniably changed the ball's path. This prompted fervent penalty appeals from the entire Newell's squad, which were ultimately denied by referee Andrés Merlos. The VAR, with Adrián Franklin overseeing the review, upheld the on-field decision, concluding there was no reason to intervene.

Despite the perceived injustice, Newell's managed to channel their frustration into a strong second-half performance. Just four minutes after the restart, Matías Cóccaro leveled the score, igniting the stadium. The momentum continued as Luca Orellano netted the go-ahead goal in the 15th minute, completing the comeback and securing a crucial 2-1 win for the home side. The victory allowed Newell's to put the controversial call behind them and celebrate a hard-fought triumph.