Gabriel Ávalos Scores Opener as Independiente Defeats Estudiantes 2-0

Paraguayan striker Gabriel Ávalos kicked off the Clausura 2026 tournament in Argentina with a decisive goal, leading Independiente to a 2-0 victory against Estudiantes de La Plata. The match took place on Sunday at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium.

Ávalos found the net in the 75th minute, heading in a precise cross from Santiago Montiel. This goal opened the scoring and set the tone for Independiente's win. Just seven minutes later, Montiel sealed the victory with the second goal, ensuring a comfortable lead for his team.

Independiente's goalkeeper, Rodrigo Rey, played a crucial role in preserving the lead. He successfully saved a penalty kick taken by Estudiantes' Guido Carrillo when the score was still a narrow 1-0, preventing Estudiantes from equalizing.

This early goal marks a continuation of Ávalos's impressive form. He finished the previous Apertura 2026 tournament as the top scorer with 12 goals, and his performance against Estudiantes signals his intent to maintain his prolific scoring record in the new season.