Gimnasia leverages a strange goal and a precise finish to reach the top of Group B

Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata arrived at the Bosque with the momentum of a club that knows how to exploit even the most unexpected circumstances, and this Sunday's home victory against Sarmiento reinforced that impression. The 2-0 win in the opening match of date 14 of the Clausura left the Lobo at the top of Group B, with 25 points, in a three-way tie with Rosario Central and Argentinos Juniors, both of whom have yet to play on this date. The historical rivalry between these teams, in the context of a competition that demands regular results, makes every point in this stage particularly valuable, as reflected in the narrow margin that separates the leading group from the teams that are still fighting to stay in the race.

A goal born from confusion

The first goal arrived at 13 minutes of the first half, in a sequence that combined pressure, a clearance attempt and an improbable rebound. After Mauricio Martínez, Sarmiento's midfielder, mishandled the ball and sent it back toward his own goal, goalkeeper Thyago Ayala tried to clear it from the penalty area. Marcelo Torres and Nacho Fernández rushed to press, and the kick struck the goalkeeper's stomach, with the rebound crossing the line. The Lobo's captain fell to the ground from the impact and did not even have time to celebrate properly.

Sarmiento, however, did not resign after the accident. In the first half, Fernández also had a one-on-one opportunity that Ayala resolved by pushing the ball into the corner. The visitors kept looking for a way to equalize, and the second half featured chances for both sides, with the result hanging on a detail that went beyond the mere score.

At 9 minutes of the second half, Gimnasia appeared to have secured the second goal when Lucas Janson scored. The referee, Sebastián Martínez, however, went to the VAR and annulled the play due to a prior foul by Ignacio Miramón. The decision restored the 1-0 and kept the match open until Franco Torres provided the definitive breakthrough.

Torres settles it from the edge of the area

Franco Torres entered from the bench and, at 30 minutes, received the ball on the move from Fernández. With the defense unable to close the central lane, the forward executed a placed shot from the edge of the area. Ayala managed to touch the ball but could not keep it out, confirming Gimnasia's second goal. The play had no room for interpretation, and the 2-0 ended up being final.

With the victory, the La Plata team reached 25 points and shares the top of Group B with Rosario Central and Argentinos Juniors, whose matches on this date have not yet been played. Qualification for the quarterfinals is practically assured, although the mathematical confirmation is still pending. Sarmiento, meanwhile, remains on 21 points in fifth place, two points above ninth-placed Independiente Rivadavia, which would leave the Junín team outside the playoffs. With two dates remaining, the margin for error is minimal.

• Gimnasia: 25 points, first place in Group B, shared with Rosario Central and Argentinos Juniors.
• Sarmiento: 21 points, fifth place, two points above ninth-placed Independiente Rivadavia.
• The first goal came from a rebound off goalkeeper Thyago Ayala after a clearance attempt.
• Lucas Janson's goal was annulled by the VAR due to a foul by Ignacio Miramón.
• Franco Torres scored the second goal from the edge of the area after coming on as a substitute.

The outcome of the other matches in this date will define whether Gimnasia maintains its lead alone or in company, but the victory against Sarmiento already provided a significant cushion. As the old saying among the teams goes, the table is settled by the results and, for now, the Lobo is in the best possible position to wait for the remaining games.

“For the supporter, the relief of seeing the team at the top is as important as the points themselves: the season is still not over, but every victory at the Bosque reinforces the conviction that this group of Gimnasia can fight for the title in the quarterfinals.”Tomás Galarza, Deportes