Cristian Tarragona’s Two Goals Lift Union Santa Fe to 4-1

Union Santa Fe defeated Sarmiento Junin 4-1 at Estadio 15 de Abril on Friday, August 28, completing a decisive Liga Profesional Argentina Clausura Round 7 victory after leading 1-0 at half-time. Cristian Tarragona scored twice, while Ignacio Malcorra and Eric Ramírez also found the net for the hosts. Juan Mavilla scored Sarmiento’s only goal.

Tarragona sets the tone

Union took control in the 18th minute when Tarragona converted a normal goal assisted by E. Giaccone. The early breakthrough gave Leonardo Madelon’s 4-3-1-2 formation a platform, although Sarmiento remained competitive in possession and created enough opportunities to keep the contest open.

The visitors made a change at half-time, replacing J. Contrera with U. Gimenez, but Union extended its advantage in the 61st minute. Tarragona scored again, this time assisted by Malcorra, to make it 2-0. Malcorra then added the third in the 74th minute after receiving the final pass from L. Ayala.

Sarmiento responded five minutes later through Mavilla, but the goal did not trigger a comeback. Ramírez restored Union’s three-goal advantage in the 84th minute, completing the 4-1 scoreline. Union also made substitutions involving Malcorra, M. Aguirre and M. Peresutti, while Sarmiento introduced G. Gonzalez and P. Magnin during the second half.

Sarmiento had the ball but not the result

The statistics show a more even game than the scoreline suggests in several areas. Sarmiento held 51% possession and completed 236 accurate passes at a 75% rate, narrowly ahead of Union’s 49%, 230 accurate passes and 73%. The visitors also registered six shots on goal compared with Union’s five.

However, Union had a slight advantage in total shots, 11 to 10, and its expected-goal figure was higher at 1.25 against Sarmiento’s 0.48. Union’s finishing made the difference: four goals from five efforts on target, while Sarmiento scored once from six. Union goalkeeper saves numbered five, compared with one for Sarmiento’s goalkeeper.

Malcorra leads Union’s individual display

Malcorra was the standout performer, receiving a match rating of 8.9 in 66 minutes. He scored once, provided one assist and contributed three key passes and three tackles. Tarragona also stood out with a rating of 8.3 after his two goals.

Discipline was limited but included yellow cards for Sarmiento’s J. Contrera in the eighth minute and L. Suarez in the 44th, while Malcorra was booked in the 62nd. Before the match, Union were 10th in Clausura Group A with seven points from six games, while Sarmiento were second in Group B with 12 points. The result takes Union to 10 points and leaves Sarmiento on 12 after seven matches, with Union ending its latest defeat and Sarmiento adding a loss to its recent record.