Velez Sarsfield, runners-up to Estudiantes in the Apertura championship in the first half of the season, came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Independiente.
Estudiantes, who appointed Eduardo Berizzo as coach on Tuesday in response to Sabella's shock resignation, scored the opening goal of the championship in the 13th minute.
Striker Gaston Fernandez slotted home first time from winger Enzo Perez's perfectly weighted pass into the box.
Estudiantes could have been three-up at the break but Newell's goalkeeper Sebastian Peratta saved Fernandez's penalty in the 43rd minute after defender Rolando Schiavi had pulled Perez back by his shirt.
The champions lost some shape in the second half as Newell's forced the pace trying to get back into the game but they left their chances till too late.
Striker Claudio Bieler blasted the ball over the bar from a good position two minutes from time and substitute Juan Manuel Cobelli netted a consolation goal in the 90th from Mauricio Sperdutti's low cross.
KEEPER'S BLUNDER
Velez pulled a goal back 70 seconds into the second half when Augusto Fernandez's chip over the defence beat the offside trap and little midfielder Maxi Moralez raced through to shoot across goalkeeper Hilario Navarro's body.
Navarro's blunder in the 79th minute gifted Velez their equaliser.
