Analysis The numbers behind the result
Banfield defy possession and xG deficit with clinical finishing
Banfield's 3-2 victory slightly flattered them on the balance of play, with Sarmiento Junin posting a higher xG (2.17 vs 1.80) and dominating possession (61% vs 39%). However, the hosts were more clinical — converting three of their eight shots on target compared to Sarmiento's two from five. Tiziano Perrotta was decisive with two second-half goals (53', 59'), both assisted from open play, before Braian Sepulveda's 82nd-minute penalty sealed it despite late Sarmiento replies from Herrera (84') and Marabel (86').
Banfield's efficiency in transition proved key — they generated 10 shots inside the box (vs Sarmiento's nine) despite completing 143 fewer passes. Sarmiento's higher pass accuracy (78% vs 73%) and corner count (4-3) didn't translate into superior chance quality, with four of their 13 shots blocked. The telling stat was Banfield's +1.2 overperformance on xG, with Perrotta alone scoring twice from an xG of just 0.8 for both attempts combined.