San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo Clinch Gritty 1-0 Victory Against Union Santa Fe
Rodrigo Auzmendi’s 64th-minute strike proved decisive as San Lorenzo ground out a 1-0 win over Union Santa Fe in a tense Liga Profesional Argentina Clausura fifth-round encounter at El Nuevo Gasómetro. The hosts survived a physical battle, with Union Santa Fe racking up four yellow cards in a match where defensive discipline outweighed attacking flair.
First Half: Caged Tigers and Yellow Cards
The opening exchanges crackled with aggression as Union Santa Fe’s Lucas Menossi earned the game’s first booking after 20 minutes for a clattering challenge. San Lorenzo slowly imposed their 54% possession dominance, but found Union’s back five frustratingly disciplined—Néstor Gorosito’s men managed just two blocked shots in a cagey first half. The tension boiled over in stoppage time when both Auzmendi and Maizón Rodríguez saw yellow after a scuffle near the centre circle.
San Lorenzo’s Second-Half Breakthrough
The game exploded into life after the interval. San Lorenzo’s numerical superiority in midfield began to tell—they finished with 14 total shots to Union’s meagre 6. The breakthrough came when Auzmendi, already booked, redeemed himself by latching onto a loose ball and rifling past Matías Mansilla. Union Santa Fe responded with three frantic substitutions in 13 minutes, but couldn’t convert their physicality into chances—managing just one shot on target all game.
Union Santa Fe’s Frustration Mounts
As the clock ticked down, Union’s discipline unraveled. Ezequiel Giaccone’s 82nd-minute booking—their fourth yellow—summed up a night where Leonardo Madelón’s side committed 21 fouls. San Lorenzo’s goalkeeper José Devecchi was largely untroubled, making just one save to preserve the clean sheet against a toothless Union attack that registered a pitiful 0.19 xG.
What This Means For Both Sides
For San Lorenzo, this hard-fought victory reinforces their Clausura credentials—they’ve now won three of their last five while conceding just twice. Union Santa Fe’s worrying form continues; they’ve scored only three goals this campaign. The result leaves Madelón with mounting pressure as his side’s physical approach yields diminishing returns. Up next, San Lorenzo face a derby against Huracán, while Union host bottom-half Gimnasia in what’s becoming a must-win fixture.
Key Moments
64′ ⚽ San Lorenzo — R. Auzmendi
