Four goals and a late penalty earn Central Cordoba a 2-2 draw

Late penalty rescues a point for Central Cordoba

Central Cordoba de Santiago drew 2-2 with Defensa Y Justicia in Liga Profesional Argentina’s Clausura - 10 on Friday, September 18. Defensa led 1-0 at half-time and moved two goals ahead early in the second period, but Central Cordoba recovered to earn a share of the points at Estadio Alfredo Terrera.

Defensa build a two-goal advantage

Defensa Y Justicia controlled the first half and took the lead in the 36th minute. J. Lucco finished a move assisted by D. Barbona, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage at the interval. Their lead grew eight minutes after the restart when L. Fernandez scored with an assist from C. Perez.

Central Cordoba changed personnel around half-time, bringing on L. Sequeira for L. Gonzalez in the 44th minute and Y. Casermeiro for F. Mansilla at the start of the second half. The changes preceded a response from the hosts. M. Iacobellis reduced the deficit in the 71st minute after receiving the assist from Sequeira, before Sequeira completed the comeback from the penalty spot in the 90th minute.

Numbers show a closely contested match

Defensa had more possession, holding 55% to Central Cordoba’s 45%, and also completed more passes: 412 compared with 301. The visitors had a narrow advantage in total shots, 17-18? No—the hosts recorded 18 attempts to Defensa’s 17, while shots on target were similarly close at seven for Defensa and six for Central Cordoba. Central also won the corner count 8-1.

The statistics therefore offered a different picture from the scoreline for much of the match: Defensa had the greater share of the ball and led 2-0, but Central Cordoba produced more attempts and eventually converted its late pressure. The expected-goals figures also favoured Defensa, 1.99 to 1.61, while both goalkeepers made four saves.

Point changes the table picture

Central Cordoba entered the round 15th in Clausura Group A with seven points from nine matches. The draw takes its total to eight after 10 games and ends a run of three consecutive losses in the listed recent form. Defensa started third with 17 points from nine matches; its point total rises to 18, while its latest result becomes a draw after a win in the most recent listed fixture.

Iacobellis was the standout performer by match rating, earning 7.9 after playing all 90 minutes. His goal, shot on target, four key passes and two tackles underlined his contribution to Central Cordoba’s recovery. Sequeira also had a decisive impact, scoring once and assisting once after entering in the first half.

Discipline in the closing stages

The match produced five yellow cards. Defensa’s L. Fernandez, N. Roselli, C. Perez and J. Lucco were booked, while Y. Casermeiro and D. Barrera received cautions for Central Cordoba. Three of the cards arrived in the final 10 minutes, including both of Central Cordoba’s bookings and two for Defensa.