3 – 1
“Aarón Molinas converts penalty to give Defensa y Justicia early lead after VAR confirmation”
Pivotal“Gabriel Ávalos equalizes from penalty spot after Maximiliano Gutiérrez fouled in box”
Pivotal“Maximiliano Gutiérrez completes turnaround with right-footed finish into bottom corner from Gabriel Ávalos assist”
Pivotal“Lautaro Millán seals victory with late goal to complete 3-1 scoreline”
Independiente
Defensa y Justicia
Outstanding performance
Independiente•AttackerIndependiente secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Defensa y Justicia in a penalty-filled first half encounter that saw two spot-kicks converted within seven minutes. After falling behind early through Aarón Molinas' penalty, Independiente responded immediately with Gabriel Ávalos' equalizer from the spot before Maximiliano Gutiérrez's clinical finish from Gabriel Ávalos' assist put the hosts ahead. The match was effectively decided in a frantic opening half-hour, with Independiente controlling proceedings thereafter despite relatively even possession (51%-49%). Substitute Lautaro Millán sealed the victory in the final minute, capitalizing on Independiente's superior shot conversion as they managed 6 shots on target compared to Defensa's solitary effort.
How entertaining was this match?
Facundo Zabala from Independiente is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution for Defensa y Justicia: Darío Cáceres comes on for David Martínez.
Substitution for Defensa y Justicia: Agustín Hausch comes on for Alan Coria.
Substitution for Defensa y Justicia: Éver Banega comes on for Santiago Sosa.
Foul by Emiliano Amor of Defensa y Justicia.
Gabriel Ávalos of Independiente wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution for Independiente: Rodrigo Fernández Cedrés comes on for Mateo Pérez Curci.
Substitution for Independiente: Lautaro Millán comes on for Ignacio Malcorra.
Maximiliano Gutiérrez from Independiente misses a right-footed shot from the right side of the box.
Ayrton Portillo from Defensa y Justicia misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box that goes too high. He was assisted by Emiliano Amor, who provided a headed pass after a corner.
Defensa y Justicia wins a corner after Sebastián Valdéz concedes.
Foul by Santiago Arias of Independiente.
Aarón Molinas from Defensa y Justicia wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Santiago SosaYellow CardSantiago Sosa from Defensa y Justicia receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul committed by Santiago Sosa of Defensa y Justicia.
Ignacio Malcorra from Independiente is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Santiago Arias of Independiente.
Juan Gutiérrez from Defensa y Justicia wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Lucas Souto of Defensa y Justicia.
Ignacio Malcorra of Independiente wins a free kick on the left wing.
Mateo Pérez CurciYellow CardMateo Pérez Curci of Independiente receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Mateo Pérez CurciYellow CardMateo Pérez Curci from Independiente receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Attempt missed. Juan Gutiérrez from Defensa y Justicia has a right-footed shot from a tough angle on the right that goes wide to the right after a corner.
Defensa y Justicia wins a corner after Sebastián Valdéz concedes.
Foul committed by Iván Marcone of Independiente.
Ayrton Portillo from Defensa y Justicia wins a free kick on the right wing.
César Pérez from Defensa y Justicia misses a left-footed shot from outside the box to the right, assisted by David Martínez.
César Pérez from Defensa y Justicia misses an attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Foul committed by César Pérez of Defensa y Justicia.
Facundo Zabala from Independiente is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Juan Gutiérrez of Defensa y Justicia.
Kevin Lomónaco of Independiente wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution for Defensa y Justicia: César Pérez comes on for Facundo Altamira.
The second half begins with the score at Independiente 2, Defensa y Justicia 1.
The first half ends with Independiente leading 2-1 against Defensa y Justicia.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 2 minutes of added time.
Handball by Gabriel Ávalos of Independiente.
Alan Coria's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Independiente is called offside. Gabriel Ávalos is the player caught offside.
Independiente wins a corner after Lucas Souto concedes.
David Martínez from Defensa y Justicia misses a header from the center of the box after a corner.
Corner awarded to Defensa y Justicia after Facundo Zabala concedes.
Maximiliano Gutiérrez of Independiente is caught offside.
Facundo ZabalaYellow CardFacundo Zabala of Independiente receives a yellow card for a foul.
Facundo Zabala's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Independiente wins a corner after Lucas Souto concedes.
Independiente wins a corner after Lucas Souto concedes.
Independiente wins a corner, conceded by Damián Fernández.
Foul by Iván Marcone of Independiente.
Facundo Altamira from Defensa y Justicia wins a free kick on the right wing.
assist: Gabriel Ávalos
Goal! Independiente leads 2-1 as Maximiliano Gutiérrez scores with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box into the bottom right corner, assisted by Gabriel Ávalos.
assist: Gabriel Ávalos
Goal! Independiente leads 2-1 as Maximiliano Gutiérrez scores with a right-footed shot from the right side of the box into the bottom right corner, assisted by Gabriel Ávalos.
Maximiliano Gutiérrez from Independiente misses the attempt with a left-footed shot from outside the box.
Facundo Zabala from Independiente misses a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, sending it just to the right. Ignacio Malcorra provided the assist after a set piece situation.
Ignacio Malcorra from Independiente wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Lucas Souto of Defensa y Justicia.
Ignacio Malcorra from Independiente wins a free kick on the left wing.
Matías Abaldo's right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the center of the goal by Cristopher Fiermarín. The attempt was assisted by Kevin Lomónaco.
Goal in the penalty shootout! Gabriel Ávalos scores for Independiente with a right-footed shot. The match remains 1-1.
Maximiliano GutiérrezMaximiliano Gutiérrez wins a penalty for Independiente after being fouled in the penalty area.
Ayrton PortilloAyrton Portillo of Defensa y Justicia concedes a penalty after committing a foul in the penalty area.
Independiente wins a corner after David Martínez concedes.
Corner awarded to Defensa y Justicia, conceded by Facundo Zabala.
Goal! Aarón Molinas scores for Defensa y Justicia with a right-footed shot from the penalty. The match stands at Independiente 0, Defensa y Justicia 1.
VAR decision confirms a penalty for Defensa y Justicia.
VAR is checking a penalty for Defensa y Justicia.
Alan Coria's right-footed shot from a tough angle on the left is blocked. Aarón Molinas provided the assist.
Independiente is awarded a corner after Lucas Souto concedes.
