Gimnasia de Mendoza Defeats Defensa y Justicia 2-1, Eliminating Them from Torneo Apertura

In a dramatic conclusion to the Torneo Apertura group stage, Gimnasia de Mendoza secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Defensa y Justicia. This result not only boosted Gimnasia's standing in the general table, aiding their fight against relegation, but also ended Defensa y Justicia's hopes of advancing in the tournament.

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The Halcón started winning, but El Lobo reversed it and added three points to their general table and moved away from the relegation spots.

Defensa y Justicia, known as 'El Halcón,' started the match brightly, taking a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute through Ayrton Portillo. However, their advantage was short-lived. Gimnasia, 'El Lobo,' equalized in the 29th minute with a goal from Ezequiel Muñoz, capitalizing on a set-piece. The match saw a controversial moment in the second half when Defensa y Justicia appealed for a handball, which was not given by the referee.

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The team of Mariano Soso opened the scoring in Mendoza. Defensa attacked down the left and the ball entered the area for Juan Gutiérrez. The Uruguayan sent a cross to the far post and Ayrton Portillo got behind a defender and pushed it in to make it 1-0 in the 12th minute.

The turning point came in the 73rd minute when Ignacio Sabatini set up Luciano Cingolani for the winning goal, sealing the 2-1 victory for Gimnasia. This loss marks a disappointing end to Defensa y Justicia's Apertura campaign, extending their losing streak to five consecutive matches. Their focus must now shift entirely to the Clausura tournament, where they will aim to rebound from this poor run of form.

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Thanks to his left foot, the equalizer came in the 29th minute. A cross from the former Belgrano player to the near post. Diego Mondino headed it and the ball hit the far post. Ezequiel Muñoz was there for the rebound, and with his right foot, he made it 1-1.

For Gimnasia de Mendoza, this victory is a significant morale boost, providing valuable points in their battle to avoid the relegation zone. The team demonstrated resilience by coming from behind, showcasing their fighting spirit. This win sets a more positive tone as they look towards future fixtures, hoping to build on this momentum.

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With the obligation to seek the win (and qualification), Mariano Soso sent several offensive players onto the field. However, that search was in vain because the home team imposed the conditions. Ignacio Sabatini touched the ball for the first time and played with Luciano Cingolani. The attacker created a great individual play, with a dribble and a shot to the far post of Cristopher Fiermarín to make it 2-1 in the 28th minute.