Unión grab a point but miss chance to pull clear at the top | OneFootball

Unión and Independiente Rivadavia starred in an emotion-filled duel at the 15 de Abril, which ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving Tatengue with a bittersweet taste. Leonardo Madelón's team made a great effort, played a fantastic match, but couldn't secure the three points that would have allowed them to take a clearer lead at the top of Zone A of the Professional League Cup.

The draw keeps them at the top thanks to Barracas Central's defeat against Sarmiento, although the outlook remains open because Boca, Central Córdoba, and Banfield could catch up at the end of matchday 9.

A Frenetic Start and a Cold Shower

From the start, Unión came out decisively: they pressed high, aimed to play down the right with the advances of Lautaro Vargas and the partnership he formed with Julián Palacios. Even the full-back had the first clear chance with a dangerous cross that challenged goalkeeper Exequiel Centurión.

When they were at their best, a perfect counterattack by Lepra surprised them at 11 minutes: a slip in defense led to a cross from Matías Fernández, and in an attempt to clear, Mauro Pittón ended up scoring an own goal. A 0-1 that set off alarms at the 15 de Abril.

The home team appeared nervous, inaccurate, and with few ideas to penetrate the Mendoza defensive block, which relied on counterattacks with the power of Sebastián Villa and the aerial strength of Álex Arce. However, at 40’, a corner kick found Amarfil's extended hand, reviewed by VAR. Referee Echavarría awarded a penalty, and Cristian Tarragona converted it into a 1-1 with a great finish.

Goal and Reaction, but Arce Struck Again

The second half showed a more determined Unión. Just after the second half started, a cross from the right ended with an unfortunate own goal by Iván Villalba, who, in his attempt to clear, put it into his own net for a 2-1 lead for Tatengue.

The delirium was short-lived: at 18’, a frontal cross found Arce, who with an impeccable header scored the 2-2. The Paraguayan striker, always dangerous, caused trouble every time he was involved.

An End-to-End Finish

Madelón made changes with the entries of Profini and Solari to gain some breath in midfield, but the match turned into a back-and-forth affair. Tarragona, with great effort, had a clear chance that just went over. Minutes later, a header from Palavecino forced a spectacular save from Centurión, and in the counterattack, it was Tagliamonte who saved against Arce.

In the final stretch, Unión pushed with the support of the fans and created chances with Vargas and Del Blanco on the wings, though lacking precision in the final strike. Lepra also had a chance to win it at the end but failed in the finish.

It was a fantastic, intense, and changing match, where Unión let slip the chance to break away at the top. The draw, nonetheless, keeps them as leaders and in the qualification zone, though with the frustration of not having capitalized on Barracas' loss.

Tate, who was on the rise with two consecutive wins, will have to validate in the next round what they showed at the 15 de Abril, in a championship that promises a tight finish until the end.

Lineups of Unión and Independiente Rivadavia

Unión: 1-Matías Tagliamonte; 35-Lautaro Vargas, 2-Maizon Rodríguez, 13-Valentín Fascendini, 11-Mateo Del Blanco; 20-Julián Palacios, 30-Mauro Pittón, 16-Mauricio Martínez, 7-Franco Fragapane; 25-Cristian Tarragona and 19-Marcelo Estigarribia. Coach: Leonardo Madelón.

Independiente Rivadavia: 1-Ezequiel Centurión; 2-Leonard Costa, 40-Iván Villalba, 42-Sheyko Studer; 36-Ezequiel Bonifacio, 25-Maximiliano Amarfil, 5-Tomás Bottari, 14-Luciano Gómes; 26-Matías Fernández; 22-Sebastián Villa and 9-Álex Arce. Coach: Alfredo Berti.

Goals: First Half 11′ Mauro Pittón, own goal (IR) and 41′ Cristian Tarragona, penalty (U); Second Half 8′ Iván Villalba, own goal (U) and 18′ Alex Arce (IR).

Substitutions: Second Half 16′ Kevin Retamar for Costa (IR); Rafael Profini for Martínez (U) and Augusto Solari for Palacios (U); 24′ Mauricio Cardillo for Amarfil (IR); 27′ Palavecino for Fragapane (U); 35′ Fabrizio Sartori for M. Fernández (IR); Pedro Souto for Bonifacio (IR) and Mauro Peinipil for Gómez (IR); 41′ Diego Armando Díaz for Estigarribia (U).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.