Central Español beat Juventud 3-0 in Group Stage 2 of the Uruguayan Cup on Tuesday evening. The hosts secured their first victory of the competition with three goals across the second half. It was a result Juventud will be keen to forget, having beaten Central Español 1-0 just two weeks before.
I. Mendez opened the scoring in the thirty-second minute. He finished after a period of sustained pressure from the home side. To be fair, Central Español had been the more dangerous side for long stretches, even if the statistics told a different story.
R. Tarragona doubled the lead fifty-three minutes in. He struck again in the sixty-first minute to complete his brace. By then, Juventud had already begun to look exposed, their defensive shape crumbling under repeated attacks.
The visitors did not respond. They had possession but could not translate it into meaningful chances. Central Español's attackers found space where Juventud's defence had left gaps.
Central Español registered 129 attacks against 126 for Juventud. The hosts held 47 per cent possession while the visitors controlled 53 per cent. Three goals from 129 attacks suggests Central Español were ruthless when opportunities arose.
Juventud's recent form had brought them confidence, but this performance told a different tale. They had won three of their last five matches before Tuesday's defeat. Central Español, meanwhile, were unbeaten only once in that same window.
