Defensa Y Justicia Win 2-1 Despite Belgrano’s 25 Shots

Defensa take early control

Defensa Y Justicia defeated Belgrano Cordoba 2-1 at Estadio Julio César Villagra on Sunday, securing victory in Liga Profesional Argentina’s Clausura - 6 round. The visitors led 1-0 at half-time after César Pérez opened the scoring in the 12th minute, converting from J. Gutierrez’s assist.

Belgrano controlled much of the first half through possession and passing, but Defensa made their opportunity count. Ricardo Zielinski’s side held 68% of the ball and completed 479 of 573 passes, compared with 32% possession and 211 accurate passes from Mariano Soso’s team. However, the home side could not turn that territorial advantage into an equaliser before the interval.

Defensa extend lead, Belgrano respond

The visitors doubled their advantage just two minutes into the second half. Damián Fernández scored in the 47th minute after receiving the assist from L. Fernandez, giving Defensa a two-goal cushion. Fernández was the match’s highest-rated performer at 8.9 after playing 96 minutes, scoring once, registering one shot on target and making four tackles.

Belgrano responded quickly through a substitute. Ramiro Hernandes replaced J. Velazquez at half-time and pulled one goal back in the 59th minute, finishing from L. Passerini’s assist. Hernandes played 51 minutes, scored with his only shot on target and also supplied two key passes, earning an 8.3 rating.

The goal set up a sustained push from the hosts, but Defensa held on. Belgrano finished with 25 total shots, including six on target, compared with nine total shots and three on target for the visitors. The hosts also had 11 blocked attempts and eight corners, while Defensa did not win a corner. Despite those attacking numbers, the expected-goals figures were close: 1.27 for Belgrano and 1.25 for Defensa.

Cards and league impact

A. Falcon was booked for Belgrano in the 34th minute, while J. Gutierrez received Defensa’s yellow card in the 65th. A. J. Benitez Cabrera and F. Roman were also cautioned in the 90th minute. Falcon was substituted five minutes after his booking, with Benitez Cabrera taking his place.

The supplied Clausura standings had Belgrano third in Group B with 10 points from five matches, while Defensa were sixth in Group A with eight points from five. This result gives Defensa 11 points and leaves Belgrano on 10 after six matches. The scoreline therefore favoured the more efficient visitors, even though Belgrano produced the larger share of possession, passes, shots and corners.