OneFootball
Brendan Doherty·2 February 2019
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Brendan Doherty·2 February 2019
San Martín Tucumán have struggled in Superliga Argentina lately, winning just one of their previous seven matches. That sole victory came in their local derby against Atlético Tucumán on 1 December.
On the other hand, Defensa y Justicia are the only remaining undefeated team in the Argentina top-flight. Beyond that impressive feat, the team came into Friday’s encounter on the back of three straight league wins.
Despite the form card, the home side took the lead at La Ciudadela Stadium. 34-year-old midfielder Tino Costa converted a penalty in the 19th minute to give hope to his beleaguered San Martín side.
The hosts held onto their advantage for most of the match and defended well going into the final ten minutes. Centre back Oliver Benítez put the ball in his own net in the 82nd minute before Defensa sealed the dramatic turn-around in the closing seconds.
In second-half stoppage time, the yellow shirts of Defensa y Justicia streamed forward. First Gastón Togni played a ball over the top of the defence for Matías Rojas to run onto. Rojas drove into the box and played a square pass across the face of goal that Nicolás Fernández tapped in with goalkeeper Jorge Carranza already on the ground.
Fernández won the game for the visitors in the second minute of added time.
The result moves Defensa y Justicia level on points with league-leaders Racing Club. Racing play on Sunday with a chance to create separation from DyJ at the top of the table.
Another loss for San Martín Tucumán condemns them to remain on 17 points and the newly promoted side are squarely within the Superliga relegation zone.