74% Possession, but Belgrano Leave with Only a Point

Sarmiento Junin drew 1-1 with Belgrano Cordoba at Estadio Eva Peron after the hosts led at half-time. Junior Marabel put Sarmiento ahead in the 33rd minute, while Lucas Passerini equalised from the penalty spot in the 90th minute to secure a point for Belgrano.

Marabel gives Sarmiento the lead

The decisive first-half sequence came in the 33rd minute. Marabel missed a penalty before scoring a normal goal in the same minute, giving Facundo Sava’s side a 1-0 advantage. He finished with two shots on target, one key pass and one tackle during his 80 minutes on the pitch.

Sarmiento protected the lead through the remainder of the first half and into the closing stages. Belgrano made three key changes after the interval, with Lucas Passerini, Adrian Spörle and Francisco González Metilli entering between the 64th and 72nd minutes. Passerini made the greatest impact, converting a late penalty in the 90th minute to level the match.

Belgrano controlled the ball but not the result

The statistics show a clear territorial advantage for Belgrano. R. Zielinski’s team held 74% possession and completed 482 accurate passes from 560 attempts, compared with Sarmiento’s 26% possession and 115 accurate passes from 197. Belgrano also led 17-9 in total shots and 7-3 on corners.

That control did not produce a winning margin. Both teams recorded seven shots from inside the box, while Belgrano had the stronger total of shots on goal, 7-4. Sarmiento’s defensive resistance was reflected in the goalkeeping numbers: T. Ayala made six saves, while T. Cardozo made three for Belgrano. The distribution of play therefore contrasted with the scoreline, as Sarmiento held the lead for most of the match despite having far less possession.

Discipline and the table picture

Sarmiento collected four yellow cards, with Juan Manuel Insaurralde, Mauricio Martínez, Santiago Salle and Diego Churin cautioned. Nicolás Fernández was the only Belgrano player booked, and neither team received a red card. Churin replaced Jonathan Herrera in the 57th minute and was cautioned at 79 minutes, while Thiago Santamaría replaced Salle shortly after.

In the Clausura Group B standings supplied for the current round, Sarmiento were ranked second with 15 points from eight matches, while Belgrano were seventh with 12 points from eight. This draw adds one point to each team’s tally: Sarmiento move to 16 and Belgrano to 13, subject to the updated table. The result interrupts neither side’s league position in the supplied ranking, but it gives Belgrano a late recovery and leaves Sarmiento with a point after surrendering a lead.

Ayala stands out

Sarmiento goalkeeper T. Ayala was the highest-rated player, receiving an 8.0 rating after 90 minutes and making six saves. His performance helped preserve the hosts’ advantage until Passerini’s late penalty, while Passerini’s 7.8 rating reflected his decisive 26-minute contribution and two shots on target.