59% possession, 0 goals: Rosario Central defeat Argentinos JRS 1-0

Rosario Central hold on for a 1-0 victory

Rosario Central defeated Argentinos JRS 1-0 at Gigante de Arroyito on Sunday, securing a narrow Liga Profesional Argentina Clausura victory. The only goal arrived before half-time, and Rosario Central protected the lead despite Argentinos JRS having more possession and producing nine corner kicks.

Ovando decides the match

Ignacio Ovando scored in the 42nd minute, converting Rosario Central’s most important attacking moment. Vicente Pizarro supplied the assist, and the goal gave Jorge Almiron’s side a 1-0 advantage at the interval. Ovando finished with two shots on target and earned a 7.7 rating, making him the standout performer alongside Argentinos JRS defender Claudio Bravo, who also received a 7.7 after completing nine tackles.

Rosario Central made a change at half-time, with F. Navarro replacing A. Rodriguez. Argentinos JRS responded with several substitutions as the game progressed, including A. Alcaraz for E. Viveros in the 53rd minute and three further changes from the 71st minute onward. Those adjustments did not produce an equaliser.

Argentinos had more of the ball but lacked a finish

The statistics show a game in which Argentinos JRS controlled possession without turning that control into goals. Nicolas Diez’s team held 59% of the ball, completed 422 passes at an 88% accuracy rate and won nine corners. Rosario Central completed 251 passes at 76% accuracy while holding 41% possession.

However, Rosario Central created the clearer output in front of goal. The hosts had 12 total shots to Argentinos JRS’s 10 and led 6-3 in shots on target. Their expected-goals figure was also higher at 0.78 compared with 0.38. Brayan Cortés made four saves for Argentinos JRS, while Axel Werner made three for Rosario Central, helping preserve the clean sheet. The figures underline the contrast between Argentinos’ territorial control and Rosario Central’s more effective finishing.

Late discipline adds tension to the finish

F. Vazquez received Argentinos JRS’s only yellow card in the 69th minute. Rosario Central’s F. Ibarra was booked six minutes later, while Ovando was cautioned in the 88th minute. The same minute brought a red card for Rosario Central coach Jorge Almiron, a notable disciplinary incident as the home side closed out the win.

The result reshapes the Clausura picture

Before the match, Rosario Central were fifth in Group B with 15 points from nine games, while Argentinos JRS led the group with 18 points from nine. The victory strengthens Rosario Central’s campaign and ends Argentinos JRS’s listed run of five wins, three draws and one loss in the Clausura standings. Rosario Central’s listed record of four wins, three draws and two losses is also improved by the result.