Rosario Central defeated Sportivo Belgrano 2-0 in a match that was decided in the first half, at the 15 de Abril stadium, for the 32nd finals of the 2026 Copa Argentina. According to the Noticias Argentinas agency, the scorers for Central were forwards Julián Fernández, at five minutes, and Alejo Véliz, at 39 minutes of the first half. With the victory, the 'Canalla' advanced to the 16th finals of the national tournament, where they will face Estudiantes de La Plata for a spot in the next round. Rosario Central opened the scoring at five minutes, with a cross from midfielder Enzo Giménez on the right wing for winger Julián Fernández, who finished first-time with the outside of his left foot for the 1-0. Forward Ángel Di María had his first chance at 20 minutes, with a free-kick from the left edge of the area that went low and to the near post, deflected by goalkeeper Leonardo Martina. The Córdoba team had no dangerous situations until the 25th minute, with a long, low, and cross-shot from attacker Alfio Lehmann, which went wide. Two minutes later, forward Emanuel Mercado controlled a ball in the area's crescent and volleyed, with a shot that reached the hands of goalkeeper Jorge Broun. At 30 minutes into the first half, a corner to the near post was volleyed by forward Alejo Véliz, whose shot was deflected over the line by defender Tomás Pennesi. The second goal of the evening came at 39 minutes, with a through-ball from Di María to Véliz, who finished across Martina's dive to make it 2-0. With Sportivo Belgrano making some defensive adjustments for the second half, they had fewer dangerous situations. The first chance of the second half came from the Rosario team at four minutes, with a high shot from midfielder Vicente Pizarro, which Martina could deflect over his right angle. The 'Canalla' came close at 34 minutes of the second half, when a cross was flicked on by Giménez for Pizarro, whose first-time shot went wide.
