From a controversial penalty to a late stunner: Platense celebrates victory over Barracas Central

Platense secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Barracas Central in a Liga Profesional match that was overshadowed by contentious refereeing, particularly involving VAR. The controversial decisions began early, casting a shadow over the contest.

Barracas Central opened the scoring in the 17th minute through an Iván Tapia penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after a foul on Norberto Briasco, but the infraction appeared to begin outside the penalty area. Referee Hernán Mastrangelo initially called a free kick but, after a lengthy VAR review, changed his decision, ruling it a penalty. This call drew significant debate, with replays suggesting the contact initiating the foul occurred outside the box and the subsequent fall was exaggerated.

Despite the setback, Platense, who are enjoying a strong run after reaching the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, fought back. They equalized in the second half, a goal that also underwent VAR review, adding to the game's officiating drama. The decisive moment came late in the match when substitute Luciano Giménez scored a spectacular acrobatic goal to seal the win for Platense.

The match highlighted ongoing frustrations with VAR implementation in Argentine football. The decisions, especially the penalty awarded to Barracas Central, raised questions about consistency and the interpretation of fouls, leaving many observers questioning the fairness of the officiating.

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