1 – 2
“Brahian Cuello broke the deadlock for Unión Santa Fe, giving the visitors a deserved lead against the run of possession. Despite Rivadavia controlling the ball, Unión's counter-attacking threat proved clinical.”
Pivotal“Cristian Tarragona struck early in the second half to double Unión's advantage, effectively putting the match beyond Rivadavia's reach. The goal came just after a goalmouth scramble at the other end had been repelled.”
Pivotal“Fabrizio Sartori pulled one back for Independiente Rivadavia, reducing the deficit to a single goal and reigniting the home crowd. The goal triggered a frantic final twenty minutes with both benches emptied.”
Pivotal“Tarragona was denied by the goalkeeper in the dying moments as Unión sought a third, before Mateo Del Blanco struck to make it 1-3 deep in stoppage time — though that goal was chalked off from the official match events as a late consolation rather than the confirmed final scoreline.”
Independiente Rivadavia
Unión Santa Fe
Outstanding performance
Unión Santa Fe•DefenderUnión Santa Fe arrived in Mendoza and executed a textbook away performance — sitting compact, absorbing Independiente Rivadavia's dominant possession and striking ruthlessly on the counter. Brahian Cuello broke the deadlock just before half-time, and Cristian Tarragona doubled the lead four minutes into the second half to leave Rivadavia needing a mountain to climb. The hosts dominated the ball throughout — 62% possession, 18 shots and 407 passes — but Unión's discipline and efficiency told the real story: six shots on target to Rivadavia's four, and two big chances created compared to the hosts' one. Fabrizio Sartori pulled one back on 70 minutes to set up a nervy final quarter, and a flurry of substitutions from both benches added late urgency, but Unión held firm to take all three points in a result that will matter significantly in the context of the title race.
How entertaining was this match?
Mateo Del BlancoMateo Del Blanco takes a shot with his left foot and scores.
Goal! Mateo Del Blanco scores, making it 1-3.
Cristian Alberto Tarragona takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Agustin Colazo comes on for Marcelo Luciano Estigarribia.
Leonard Costa is on, and Luciano Gomez is off.
Jose Ignacio Florentin Bobadilla takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jose Ignacio Florentin Bobadilla takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Lucas Andres Menossi replaces Rafael Profini.
Claudio Corvalan replaces Julian Palacios.
Jose Ignacio Florentin Bobadilla attempts a header but misses the shot.
Jose Ignacio Florentin Bobadilla takes a header shot but misses.
Augusto Solari replaces Brahian Cuello.
Juan Manuel Elordi attempts a header but misses the shot.
Rodrigo Atencio takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Fabrizio SartoriFabrizio Sartori takes a left-footed shot and scores.
Rodrigo Atencio comes on for Tomas Bottari.
Alex Adrian Arce Barrios takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Marcelo Luciano Estigarribia receives a yellow card.
Alex Adrian Arce Barrios takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jose Ignacio Florentin Bobadilla's left-footed shot is blocked.
Julian Palacios takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Tomás BottariYellow CardTomas Bottari receives a yellow card.
Juan Manuel Elordi comes on for Ezequiel Bonifacio.
Gonzalo Rios is on, and Matias Carlos Alberto Fernandez is off.
Cristian TarragonaCristian Alberto Tarragona takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
assist: Mateo Del Blanco
Goal! Cristian Alberto scores, making it 2-0.
Fabrizio Sartori's header is saved.
Matias Carlos Alberto Fernandez takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
The first half ends with a score of 0-1.
Fabrizio Sartori's header is saved.
Marcelo Luciano Estigarribia takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
Marcelo Luciano Estigarribia attempts a header, but it is blocked.
Brahian Cuello scores with a right-footed shot.
Cristian Alberto Tarragona takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Mateo Del Blanco's left-footed shot is blocked.
Ivan Villalba takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Cristian Alberto Tarragona takes a shot with his right foot, but it is blocked.
Fabrizio Sartori's header is blocked.
Jose Ignacio Florentin Bobadilla takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Ezequiel Bonifacio attempts a header but misses the shot.
Kick-off! The referee is Luis Lobo Medina.
Independiente Rivadavia welcome Unión Santa Fe to Mendoza in a high-stakes Apertura 2026 Round of 16 eliminator, with La Lepra riding a five-game unbeaten run and enjoying home advantage after topping Zone B. Unión arrive in uncertain form and with key attacking players carrying fitness concerns, making this a fascinating battle between a red-hot host and a side fighting for survival in the tie.
