Cristian Tarragona’s two goals lift Union Santa Fe past Velez

Tarragona settles the contest before half-time

Union Santa Fe beat Velez Sarsfield 2-0 in Liga Profesional Argentina’s Clausura - 16, with Cristian Tarragona scoring both goals. Union led 2-0 at half-time, and Tarragona’s two goals, including a penalty, provided the decisive edge despite Velez having more possession.

Thiago Silvero was sent off for Velez in the 10th minute, a major early turning point. Tarragona converted a penalty in the 12th minute to make it 1-0. He struck again in the 28th minute, with Marcelo Estigarriba supplying the assist for the 2-0 scoreline.

Velez controlled 58% of possession and completed 356 accurate passes from 457 total passes, compared with Union’s 241 accurate passes from 322. That territorial advantage did not translate into enough threat: Union had 14 total shots and 10 from inside the box, while Velez recorded eight total shots and two from inside the box. Union also led expected goals, 1.91 to 0.5, and registered four shots on goal to Velez’s one.

Discipline and substitutions shape the second half

The match produced further bookings for Tomás Marchiori and Rodrigo Aliendro of Velez, while Joaquín Mosqueira, Mauro Luna Diale, Tobias Javier Rubio and Julián Palacios were cautioned for Union. Union made changes involving Victor Malcorra, Erik Ramirez and Mateo Peresutti after the interval, while Velez introduced Leo Cristaldo, Claudio Baeza and Álex Zahir Verón.

Three points narrow the immediate gap

Union moved from 18 to 21 points in Clausura - Group A after this result, while Velez remained on 28. Velez are still seven points ahead of Union, and the leaders, provisionally, are Instituto Cordoba on 33 points. Tarragona was the standout performer, earning an 8.2 rating, scoring two goals and recording two shots on target.