Gimnasia M. saw off Unión Santa Fe 2:0 in the third round of Argentina's Clausura tournament on Friday evening. The hosts moved four points clear of their visitors at 11th place after a performance that rewarded their efficiency over territory.
And here's the thing — the match turned on the penalty in the 45th minute plus five. A. Modica stepped up and converted from the spot, sending the home crowd into raptures before half-time. It was the kind of moment that shifts momentum more than any amount of possession ever could.
Unión had gone in searching for an equaliser, but Modica was already on the board. He added a second in the 50th minute, and suddenly the visitors were chasing the game. The substitution of E. Fernandez in the 46th minute did little to stem the tide, and by then the complexion of the match had changed beyond repair.
The statistics tell an interesting story, though not always the one people expect. Unión registered more attacks — 108 to 84 — and pushed forward with greater urgency. But Gimnasia's shots on target came at a higher rate, seven compared to four, and their expected goals total of 1.71 suggested they were creating better quality chances.
To be fair, the visitors did work hard to stay in the contest. They completed 270 passes against 287 for the hosts, and their goalkeeper made five saves to Modica's four. But they couldn't find the breakthrough, and when the referee blew for full-time, the result reflected the reality of the evening.
For Gimnasia, this was a welcome return to winning ways after their defeat to San Lorenzo on Tuesday. They had beaten Central Córdoba de Santiago 1:0 in their previous outing, and now they'd added another three points to their tally. The goal difference at 19 points makes them a side worth watching if they maintain this level.
Unión's situation is slightly different. Sitting eighth with 21 points, they now face the task of regrouping after letting the tie slip so easily. Their recent form has been inconsistent — a 2:2 draw with Platense followed by several defeats — and this result extends that troubled run.