Instituto Cordoba win 1-0 as Lázaro decides Liga Profesional Argentina match

Lázaro’s 23rd-minute opener

Instituto Cordoba defeated Defensa Y Justicia 1-0 in Clausura - 13, with Jeremías Ezequiel Lázaro scoring the only goal in the 23rd minute to make it 0-1. The forward completed 74 minutes and gave Instituto a lead they protected through the remainder of the match.

Defensa made the stronger attacking impression after the goal. They had 67% possession, 19 total shots to Instituto’s seven and an expected-goals figure of 1.68 compared with Instituto’s 0.36. However, only three of Defensa’s shots were on target, while Instituto also recorded three. Instituto goalkeeper saves numbered three, one more than Defensa’s two.

Defensa controlled the ball but found no equaliser

Defensa completed 479 accurate passes from 564 total, whereas Instituto completed 186 accurate passes from 268. The hosts also had 11 shots inside the box and six corners, but could not turn their territorial advantage into a goal. Instituto’s compact output was enough to preserve the 0-1 scoreline.

Damián Fernández was booked for Defensa in the 55th minute, and Aaron Molinas received a yellow card in the 90th. Instituto finished without a recorded yellow card or red card.

Instituto strengthen their provisional lead

Before kick-off, Instituto led Clausura - Group A with 26 points and Defensa were second with 24. After the result, Instituto moved to 29 points and remained provisionally first, five points ahead of Defensa, who stayed on 24 points and were provisionally second. Lázaro was the standout performer, earning an 8.2 rating alongside his goal and two key passes. The result changed Instituto’s latest pre-match draw into a win, while Defensa followed their latest pre-match win with a loss.