Lamolina and VAR overlook penalty-area foul as Instituto goal leads to Unión victory

Instituto’s opening goal should have been disallowed, the report argues, but referee Nicolás Lamolina and VAR ignored a clear infringement. Unión recovered from the controversy to win 3-2 in a chaotic match that ended with two red cards and Instituto close to an equalizer.

Leonel Mosevich put Instituto ahead in the 13th minute from a set piece. Fernando Alarcón had blocked two Unión players at the same time while the ball traveled across the area and ended in the net. The article describes the move as a typical screen, similar to a tactic used in rugby, and says Lamolina had a direct view of it. VAR did not intervene.

Unión responded with what the report calls football, character and energy. Brahian Cuello equalized, Cristian Tarragona headed the second, and Misael Aguirre added a third with another fine finish. Instituto kept attacking and reduced the deficit through Hernán de la Fuente.

The match grew more tense in the final stages. Lamolina also ignored a handball after a cross into Unión’s area that could have produced a penalty for the Córdoba side. Tarragona was then sent off for elbowing the defender who had scored Instituto’s first goal. Instituto came close to drawing level, but Matías Gallardo was also dismissed for protesting.

The five goals could have become six or seven. Unión recorded nine shots and Instituto 11. The result left Gimnasia of Mendoza, Vélez and Instituto level at the top of Group A on 16 points, followed by Defensa y Justicia on 14 and Independiente and Unión on 13. The article presents Unión’s victory as another example of continuing refereeing errors in domestic football.