On August 12, 2026, Atlético Tucumán delivered a historic 4-0 victory against Independiente in the Round of 16 of the Copa Argentina 2026 in Rosario. Goals from Laméndola, Brondo, and Nicola eliminated the Argentine giants, leading to the dismissal of coach Gustavo Quinteros the following day.

An Unstoppable "Decano" in the Argentine Cup

On August 12, 2026, Atlético Tucumán (affectionately known as "El Decano" or "The Dean" due to its long history in the northern province of Tucumán) established itself as the great figure of the Round of 16 in the Copa Argentina 2026. The team delivered a historic 4-0 thrashing to Independiente, one of the most traditional and popular football clubs in Argentina, based in Avellaneda (Greater Buenos Aires). The match, played in the central city of Rosario, secured the team led by coach Julio César Falcioni a ticket to the quarter-finals, where they are expected to face either Aldosivi or Independiente Rivadavia.

The Goals of the Thrashing

  • Nicolás Laméndola (x2): The man of the match, he scored a crucial brace for the Tucumán side.
  • Manuel Brondo: Extended the lead and sentenced the aspirations of the "Rojo" (Red).
  • Franco Nicola: Closed the definitive account against a disoriented rival.

Profound Crisis in Independiente

The night was one to forget for the Avellaneda team. Independiente had the chance to open the scoring, but Santiago Montiel missed a penalty that could have changed the course of the match. Following the resounding defeat, manager Gustavo Quinteros reportedly admitted feeling "ashamed" and apologized, though he confirmed he would not resign. However, on August 13, 2026, Independiente's board of directors took matters into their own hands and fired Quinteros, ending his tenure after a period marked by a lack of ideas and strong disputes with players and management.

The Broadcaster's Curious Blooper

The match will also be remembered for a viral moment. Rosario broadcaster Julián Bricco, during the official broadcast on TyC Sports, starred in an unforgettable blooper during Atlético Tucumán's first goal. In the heat of the moment, he confused Lomónaco with the goalscorer, finally shouting: "¡Laméndola gol!", realizing his mistake amidst the excitement. A colorful detail in a night that "El Decano" fans will remember forever.

Sources: TyC Sports and Rosario3.