Soccer-Huracan beat Independiente in dramatic shootout to reach Argentine Apertura final
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Huracan secured a thrilling 6-5 shootout victory against Independiente in the semi-finals of the Argentine Apertura tournament on Saturday, following a nail-biting 0-0 draw at the Libertadores de America stadium.
Huracan dominated the first half with shots from Matko Miljevic and Walter Mazzantti, but failed to score.
Independiente, who had beaten Boca Juniors in the quarter-finals, upped the pressure in the second half, coming close to scoring through Matias Gimenez following a well-placed cross from Santiago Montiel.
Kevin Lomonaco also threatened but failed to score, and the match ended goalless.
Huracan took the advantage in the shootout after Gabriel Avalos missed the opening shot, seemingly sealing Independiente's fate, yet goalkeeper Rodrigo Rey briefly rewrote the script with a spectacular save from Leonardo Gil's fifth attempt.
However, it was Huracan's keeper, Hernan Galindez, who emerged as the ultimate protagonist, denying 20-year-old striker Santiago Hidalgo in the sudden-death shootout finale.
"This is incredible, a great joy. We had chances to score, and we worked hard throughout the match, but we had to play away on a very difficult pitch," Galindez said after the match.
"In the penalty shootout, I was able to guess and save the important ones. We have to appreciate the effort of the team, which is very committed and united, and we are all a family," he said.
Huracan now await the winner of Sunday's second semi-final between San Lorenzo and Platense.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by William Mallard)
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