Fernandez’s 80th-minute goal gives Rosario Central a 3-2 win

Fernandez’s 80th-minute goal settles a 3-2 comeback

Rosario Central defeated Atletico Tucuman 3-2 at Estadio Monumental Jose Fierro, with Julian Fernandez scoring the decisive goal in the 80th minute. The victory came after a match that was level at 2-2 at half-time.

Central recover the lead after a four-goal first half

Rosario Central opened the scoring in the 3rd minute when Gaston Avila converted with an assist from Ángel Di María, making it 0-1. Avila struck again in the 6th minute, assisted by Giovanni Ismael Cantizano, to put Central 0-2 ahead.

Atletico Tucuman responded through Pedro Alexis Canelo in the 37th minute, assisted by Ramiro Ruiz Rodriguez, reducing the score to 1-2. Ramiro Ruiz Rodriguez then equalised in the 42nd minute after Leandro Díaz’s assist, leaving the teams level at the interval.

The decisive turn arrived in the 80th minute. Fernandez, introduced in the 78th minute for Cantizano, scored from Álan Rodríguez’s assist to restore Rosario Central’s lead at 2-3.

Possession favours Central, but the chance quality points the other way

Rosario Central controlled 66% of possession and completed 457 accurate passes from 534 total, compared with Atletico Tucuman’s 185 accurate passes from 249. Central also had 16 shots to Atletico’s 15 and nine shots on goal to five.

However, Atletico recorded the higher expected-goals figure, 1.42 to Central’s 0.76, while Central’s goalkeeper made three saves and Atletico’s made six. Five yellow cards were shown, including three to Atletico players, with no red cards.

Central stay top of the supplied Clausura table

The post-match standings list Rosario Central first in Clausura - Group B with 25 points from 13 games, while Atletico Tucuman are #10 with 14 points from 13 games. Central are also 14 points ahead of Atletico in Apertura - Group B, where they are #4 and Atletico are #13. Avila was the standout performer, earning an 8.9 rating after scoring twice.