Atletico de Rafaela claim vital victory over leaders Tristán Suárez
Atletico de Rafaela secured a 2:1 win over Tristán Suárez in the Primera Nacional regular season round 27 on Friday evening. The hosts moved into a more comfortable position in the standings, while the visitors saw their commanding lead in the table narrow to just seven points. To be fair, this was a result that could have gone either way, but Rafaela showed more composure when it mattered. The three points lifted them further away from the relegation zone and put pressure on the league leaders to maintain their form.
M. Guzman opened the scoring in the 43rd minute with a well-taken goal that gave the home crowd something to cheer about. Suárez responded after the break when U. Yegros equalised in the 69th minute, shifting the momentum back toward the visitors. Then came the decisive moment in the 80th minute, when J. Bonifacio found the net to restore Rafaela's advantage. By then, the game had taken on a different character, with both sides trading blows in the final quarter.
There were plenty of cautions handed out during a contest that grew increasingly physical. M. Guzman picked up his second booking in the 73rd minute, while J. Bonifacio went off after receiving yellow in the 81st. Suárez accumulated five yellows in total, with B. Aguilar and J. Beron both cautioned in stoppage time. Rafaela managed to stay disciplined with just three cards, though M. Enrique and A. Gallo were among those sent off the pitch with warnings.
Atletico de Rafaela dominated possession with 60 per cent of the ball and registered six shots on target alongside six that flew wide. Tristán Suárez managed only two shots on target and three off target, despite having more goal kicks and less control in midfield. The hosts won six corners compared to the visitors' two, reflecting the territorial advantage they maintained throughout. And here's the thing — Rafaela created more chances but converted them at a more efficient rate.
The result leaves Tristán Suárez at the top of the table on 48 points from 26 matches, while Atletico de Rafaela sit seventh with 39 points after 27 games. The gap between them has shrunk by one point, and the visitors now have one game in hand on their rivals. Rafaela come off two consecutive goalless draws, but this victory breaks that pattern and provides a boost in confidence. Suárez have lost ground in their pursuit of the title, and the pressure will mount as the season reaches its final stages.