2-0 scoreline rewards Sarmiento’s efficiency against possession-heavy Estudiantes

Sarmiento make possession count in 2-0 win

Sarmiento Junin defeated Estudiantes L.P. 2-0 at Estadio Eva Perón on Sunday, with the hosts taking a first-half lead and adding a late second goal to secure victory in Liga Profesional Argentina’s Clausura round six. Mauricio Martínez opened the scoring in the 18th minute, while Gastón González completed the result in the 80th minute.

Estudiantes controlled much of the ball, recording 76% possession compared with Sarmiento’s 24%, and they completed 450 of 510 passes at an 88% accuracy rate. Sarmiento had 157 total passes, with 94 accurate. The visitors also attempted more shots, leading 15-10, although both sides registered five efforts on target.

Martínez gives Sarmiento the lead

Sarmiento made their more direct approach count in the 18th minute. J. Mavilla provided the assist for Martínez, who scored with a normal goal to put the home side 1-0 ahead. Estudiantes had more territory and passing control, but Sarmiento’s shot profile was efficient: eight of their 10 attempts came from inside the box, while their expected-goals figure was 1.49 compared with Estudiantes’ 0.70.

The first half also saw bookings for Estudiantes’ L. Alario in the sixth minute and J. Pereyra in the 40th, with Sarmiento’s J. Contrera cautioned in the 26th. Estudiantes made two changes at half-time, sending on E. Mancuso and E. Cetre for E. Meza and Perez Fabricio, but the changes did not produce an equaliser. J. Sosa and J. Burgos later replaced Pereyra and B. Aguirre in the 65th minute.

Late goal settles the contest

Sarmiento protected their advantage before making it decisive late on. Gastón González scored in the 80th minute after an assist from J. Marabel, giving the hosts a two-goal cushion. González had come on for J. Herrera in the 68th minute and needed only 14 minutes to make an impact. Sarmiento also replaced Contrera with U. Gimenez in the 58th minute.

Estudiantes had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 86th minute, but J. Correa missed a penalty. Correa was booked two minutes earlier, while E. Mancuso received a yellow card in the 90th minute. Sarmiento goalkeeper Thyago Ayala was the standout performer, earning a rating of 8.9 and making five saves as Estudiantes tested the home defence.

The result leaves Sarmiento’s Clausura Group B record listed at three wins and two defeats for nine points from five games, placing them fourth in the supplied standings. Estudiantes are listed 10th in Group A with six points from five matches, having won twice and lost three times. Sarmiento’s latest result strengthens their immediate form, while Estudiantes follow a recent loss with another defeat.