19 shots and one decisive finish lift Instituto Cordoba

Instituto Cordoba defeated San Lorenzo 1-0 at Estadio Presidente Peron, with the home side claiming the three points in the Liga Profesional Argentina Clausura - 7 fixture. Giuliano Cerato scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, converting after an assist from Matías Gallardo.

Cerato makes the difference

The match was goalless at half-time, despite Instituto creating the clearer attacking threat. The hosts registered 13 shots inside the box and 19 attempts overall, compared with San Lorenzo’s five total shots and only two from inside the area. Their pressure was also reflected in the corner count, where Instituto led 10-1.

The breakthrough arrived eight minutes after the interval. Gallardo supplied the assist for Cerato, whose finish put Instituto ahead. San Lorenzo made a triple substitution in the 64th minute, bringing on M. Rio, E. Salas and F. Gulli for I. Perruzzi, J. Alvarez and M. Reali, but the changes did not produce an equaliser. Instituto later replaced Gallardo and M. Tissera in the 73rd minute before N. Guerra came on for Jeremías Lázaro in the 80th.

Instituto control the chances

San Lorenzo had slightly more possession at 51%, while Instituto held 49%, and the visitors also completed more passes, 385 to 339. However, that control did not translate into opportunities. Instituto had three shots on target to San Lorenzo’s one, produced 1.44 expected goals against 0.28, and forced three saves from the visiting goalkeeper. The home goalkeeper made one save as Instituto protected its narrow advantage.

The statistics therefore pointed to a more productive performance from Instituto than the possession figures alone suggested. The hosts also recorded 10 shots off target and six blocked attempts, while San Lorenzo managed four off target and no blocked shots.

Discipline and table impact

The contest became increasingly disciplinary after the interval. Instituto’s J. E. Cordoba Mosquera was booked in the 39th minute and D. Sosa received a late yellow card. San Lorenzo collected five cautions: I. Perruzzi, N. Tripichio, E. Salas, A. Cuello and E. Herrera, with the final three arriving from the 71st minute onward.

Instituto entered the round fourth in Clausura Group A with 13 points from six matches, and the victory takes its tally to 16 from seven. San Lorenzo began 13th with seven points from six and remains on that total after the defeat. The result gives Instituto another win in its recent form and leaves San Lorenzo with a loss to add to its uneven record.

Cerato was the standout performer, earning an 8.9 rating after playing 93 minutes. Alongside his winning goal, he recorded one shot on target and five key passes. Gallardo also made a significant contribution with the assist and five tackles in his 73 minutes.