Analysis The numbers behind the result
Defensa Y Justicia edge tight contest despite Riestra's shot volume
Defensa Y Justicia's 2-1 victory was narrowly deserved on the balance of play, with their superior xG (1.80 vs 1.14) reflecting better-quality chances despite Deportivo Riestra's higher shot volume (17 to 12). The hosts' clinical first-half efficiency proved decisive, with Juan Manuel Gutiérrez (23') and David Barbona (37') converting from just 6 total shots at that stage, compared to Riestra's 4.
Possession dominance (61%) didn't translate into overwhelming pressure for Defensa, as Riestra created more shots inside the box (9 vs 7) and had a higher combined xG from open play (1.14 from 17 shots). However, Defensa's set-piece threat (5 corners to 3) and defensive solidity (4 blocked shots) limited Riestra's clear-cut opportunities. The visitors' late resurgence, punctuated by Tomás González's 72nd-minute goal, came too late to alter the outcome.
The key difference was Defensa's first-half precision — they scored twice from an xG of just 1.12 in that period, while Riestra needed 13 second-half shots to produce their lone goal.