Platense reach Argentine Apertura final after 1-0 win over San Lorenzo
May 25 (Reuters) - Platense booked their place in the final of the Argentine Apertura competition with a 1-0 win at San Lorenzo on Sunday, thanks to a second-half goal from substitute Franco Zapiola.
Platense, who beat River Plate in the quarter-finals, will face Huracan in the final after they overcame Independiente 6–5 in a thrilling penalty shootout on Saturday.
San Lorenzo struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, and their progress was further hindered when Ezequiel Cerutti was forced off due to injury as the game was halted for a few minutes.
Platense pressed hard, with efforts from Augusto Lotti, Ronaldo Martinez and Vicente Taborda testing San Lorenzo's defence and goalkeeper Orlando Gill made some fine saves, ensuring the home side remained in contention.
The visitors finally broke the deadlock through Zapiola, who came on for Lotti in the 70th minute, and two minutes later, scored the winner following a corner kick.
"Netting the goal was a huge thrill. Today, we are wearing a shirt bearing a patch in memory of the late Pope Francis, and that means a lot to us as Argentines. We will wear it in every game now. I think it helped us today," Zapiola told TNT Sports.
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