Di María Shines in Olympic Match, Central and Boca Clash Intensifies with Paredes Exchange

Ángel Di María made headlines as Rosario Central drew 1-1 with Boca Juniors at the Gigante de Arroyito, scoring a stunning Olympic corner. His remarkable goal equalized the match and became a highlight of the night.

Boca Juniors initially took the lead through a quick set-piece routine executed by Leandro Paredes and finished by Rodrigo Battaglia. Central responded with pressure and threats from Di María, who curled his third corner of the half into the net, leaving goalkeeper Leandro Brey unable to react.

The goal added to an already vibrant atmosphere. At 37, Di María marked yet another milestone in his long career, which includes similar goals for Benfica and PSG. He emphasized teamwork in his post-match comments, saying, “I’ve scored Olympic goals before, and I’m happy for this one. We played very well. It was a close game; they have great players, and so do we. I think the draw is fair.”

Regarding his positioning on the field, Di María stated, “I want to play, to be on the field, and to be happy. I’ll be wherever the coach needs me.” His main goal is to contribute, irrespective of his role.

Di María also shared a lighthearted moment regarding his on-field altercation with Leandro Paredes. “We talked a bit today; I knew a kick was coming, so I returned it. He’s a passionate player; on the pitch, there are no friends, but it’s all good,” he remarked, reflecting the match’s intensity and their mutual respect.

He expressed concern for teammate Alejo Véliz, who left the game due to injury. “We were worried about Véliz’s injury… I hope he recovers. He played through pain today.” Fans will be eager for updates on his condition.

Both teams ended the match with a point. Central celebrated a moment of brilliance, while Boca demonstrated resilience and experience. The final result reflected the evenly matched play.