Central Córdoba de Santiago secured a 1-0 win over San Lorenzo in the third round of the Argentine Professional League Clausura tournament on Tuesday. M. Santos opened the scoring in the 31st minute, and despite San Lorenzo controlling much of the possession, the home side held on for all three points.
The breakthrough came from Santos, who finished a chance from inside the penalty area. To be fair, it was the only real moment of quality either side created in the first half. San Lorenzo had more of the ball, but Central's defensive shape held firm until Santos made his move.
Yellow cards began to accumulate after the goal. Barrera went off in the 41st minute, followed by Vera at 50, and then De Ritis, Moyano, and Tripichio all received cautions before the hour mark. By then the game had become scrappy, with Central refusing to go away despite being on the back foot for long periods.
Substitutions started flowing from the 46th minute when San Lorenzo brought on J. Alvarez. Central responded with N. Arias at 53, while M. Reali came on for San Lorenzo in the 69th. Both managers made changes around the hour mark, and M. Santos was substituted himself in the 72nd, replaced by Iacobellis and Rattalino. Central added L. Gonzalez late on at 89.
The statistics told the obvious story. San Lorenzo enjoyed 62 per cent possession and completed 470 passes compared to Central's 291. But Central were far more clinical, registering seven shots on target from seven attempts inside and outside the box. San Lorenzo managed just two shots on target from 11 attempts, with an expected goals figure of 0.74 against Central's 0.82. Many shots with one goal meant chances went begging for the visitors.
Central Córdoba remain in 13th place with 16 points from 16 games, while San Lorenzo sit seventh with 22 points. The result ended Central's run of poor form, which had seen them lose their last two matches 2-0 and 1-0. San Lorenzo's recent results were mixed, but this defeat offers little comfort for a side that has opened talks about improving their away record.