Sarmiento de La Banda — Sportivo Belgrano: 3:0, Torneo Federal A

Sarmiento de la Banda saw off Sportivo Belgrano 3:0 in the Winners Stage - 5 of the Torneo Federal A on Saturday evening. The hosts controlled proceedings from the start and never looked back. A result that keeps them in seventh place with five points from five games.

N. Gonzalez broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. To be fair, Sportivo Belgrano had been in the game, but a yellow card in the 43rd minute shifted their momentum. They switched off at a set piece shortly after, and the pattern was set.

By then Sarmiento were running the show. The second goal came in the 55th minute, and the visitors had no answer.

The third arrived in the 59th minute, and the tie was effectively over. Sarmiento had hit a wall of confidence, while Sportivo Belgrano's attack had gone quiet. It was a performance that showed the difference between teams at this level.

Sarmiento registered seven shots on target against just two for Sportivo Belgrano, and their 54 per cent possession told the story. The visitors had more attacks, 35 to 48, but they lacked the final ball. Shots off target were eight for Sportivo Belgrano against two for the hosts, a sign of desperation rather than structure.

Sportivo Belgrano remain in eighth with five points from six matches. The hosts have one foot in the next round of the Winners Stage, while the visitors must find consistency.