“César Pérez opens the scoring against the run of play, capitalising after a Nicolas Fernandez Miranda shot was blocked, to give Defensa y Justicia a shock early lead.”
Pivotal“Damián Fernández strikes within two minutes of the restart to double Defensa y Justicia's lead, with substitute Ramiro Hernandes barely had time to find his feet before the visitors were already celebrating a second.”
Pivotal“Substitute Ramiro Hernandes pulls one back for Belgrano, converting from close range after a Lucas Passerini assist following a corner, igniting hopes of a comeback.”
Pivotal“A frantic final minute sees both Alcides Benítez and Fernando Román booked for fouls in stoppage time, summing up the desperation of Belgrano's push and Defensa's stubborn resistance.”
Belgrano
Defensa y Justicia
Outstanding performance
Defensa y Justicia•DefenderDefensa y Justicia executed a textbook smash-and-grab in Córdoba, sitting deep, absorbing enormous pressure, and punishing Belgrano with ruthless efficiency on the counter. The visitors scored with their first meaningful threat at 12 minutes through César Pérez, then extended their lead within 60 seconds of the second half resuming as Damián Fernández struck before Belgrano could settle. The statistics tell a brutal story for the home side — 68% possession, 25 shots, 99 dangerous attacks, and eight corners all yielded just one goal, while Defensa managed only nine shots yet converted twice from three on target. Substitute Ramiro Hernandes gave Belgrano a lifeline at 59 minutes, assisted by Lucas Passerini, but despite a frantic closing stretch that saw six substitutions and two late yellow cards, the visitors' defensive discipline held firm, leaving Belgrano to rue what was an extremely wasteful afternoon in front of goal.
How entertaining was this match?
Alcides BenítezYellow CardYellow card shown to Alcides Benítez.
Offside.
Juan Manuel Gutierrez Freire attempts a header but misses the shot.
Ezequiel Burdin is on, and Cesar Ignacio Perez Maldonado is off.
Cesar Ignacio Perez Maldonado comes on for Tiziano Perrotta.
Jeremias Lucco takes a right-footed shot that hits the post.
Offside.
Corner awarded.
Leandro Miguel Fernandez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Leandro Miguel Fernandez takes a shot with his right foot but misses.
Ramiro Tulián comes on for Franco Vazquez.
Juan Manuel Gutierrez Freire comes on for Lucas Passerini.
Lucas Passerini takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Lucas Passerini takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Lucas Passerini takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jeremias Lucco takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Franco Vazquez takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jeremias Lucco is on, and David Barbona is off.
Domingo Blanco comes on for Juan Manuel Gutierrez Freire.
Lucas Passerini takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Lucas Passerini's header is saved.
Yellow card shown to Juan Manuel Gutierrez Freire.
Francisco Gonzalez Metilli is on, and Adrian Guillermo Sanchez is off.
Corner awarded.
Ayrton Portillo is on, and Leandro Miguel Fernandez is off.
Ayrton Portillo is on, and Leandro Miguel Fernandez is off.
assist: Lucas Passerini
Shot from Ramiro Hernandes with his left foot results in a goal.
Goal! Ramiro Hernandes scores to make it 1-2, assisted by Lucas Passerini.
Corner awarded.
Emiliano Rigoni takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Leandro Miguel Fernandez takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Franco Vazquez takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Alcides Benítez is on, and Agustin Falcon is off.
Damian Fernandez scores with a right-footed shot.
assist: Leandro Fernández
Goal! Damian Fernandez scores, making it 0-2.
Ramiro Hernandes is on, and Juan Velazquez is off.
The first half ends with a score of 0-1.
Leandro Miguel Fernandez takes a left-footed shot but misses.
David Barbona takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Emiliano Rigoni takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
David Barbona takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Emiliano Rigoni takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
David Barbona takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Emiliano Rigoni takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
Agustin Falcon takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
Agustin Falcon receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Agustin Falcon receives a yellow card.
Corner awarded.
Franco Vazquez takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Corner awarded.
Adrian Guillermo Sanchez takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Emiliano Rigoni takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Cesar Ignacio Perez Maldonado takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Leandro Miguel Fernandez takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Cesar Ignacio Perez Maldonado takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Cesar Ignacio Perez Maldonado takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Leandro Miguel Fernandez takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Goal! Cesar Ignacio Perez Maldonado scores, making it 1-0.
assist: Juan Gutiérrez
Nicolas Fernandez Miranda takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Offside.
Lucas Passerini attempts a header but misses the shot.
Lucas Passerini attempts a header but misses the shot.
Leonardo Morales takes a header shot but misses.
Kick-off! The referee is Fernando Espinoza.
