CÓRDOBA, Argentina – Belgrano de Córdoba continued its strong start to the Liga Profesional de Fútbol Apertura tournament with a decisive 3-1 victory over Atlético Tucumán on Sunday, February 24, 2026, at the Estadio Gigante de Alberdi. The win propels Belgrano to the top of the Zona B standings with 15 points, while Atlético Tucumán remains near the bottom of the table with just 5 points.
The match, played before a lively home crowd, saw Emiliano Rigoni open the scoring for Belgrano in the 38th minute. Nicolás Fernández extended the lead in the 53rd minute, and Julián Mavilla added a third in the 77th minute, effectively sealing the result. Martín Benítez managed a late consolation goal for Atlético Tucumán from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, but it was too little, too late.
Zelarayán and Vázquez Orchestrate Belgrano’s Attack
The victory was largely built on the creative interplay of Lucas Zelarayán and Franco Vázquez in midfield. Zelarayán, in particular, was instrumental in dictating the tempo and providing key passes, including the assist for Fernández’s goal. Vázquez, known for his vision and passing range, consistently found space to link play between the defense and attack. Their combined influence allowed Belgrano to control possession and create numerous scoring opportunities.
Belgrano’s starting lineup featured a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rigoni leading the attack supported by Zelarayán, Benítez, and Fernández. Atlético Tucumán responded with a 4-4-2, attempting to stifle Belgrano’s attacking threats through a compact midfield. However, Belgrano’s movement and passing proved too difficult for the visitors to contain.
Key Moments and Turning Points
The opening goal by Rigoni proved crucial, settling Belgrano’s nerves and allowing them to play with greater freedom. Fernández’s goal shortly after halftime further solidified their control, and Mavilla’s strike effectively ended any hopes of a comeback for Atlético Tucumán. The penalty awarded to Atlético late in the game offered a glimmer of hope, but Belgrano’s defense remained resolute.
The match statistics reflected Belgrano’s dominance. They enjoyed 50% of the possession, matching Atlético Tucumán, but were far more effective in front of goal, registering 4 shots on target compared to Atlético’s 2. Belgrano similarly had 11 total shots to Atlético’s 11, and won 3 corner kicks to Atlético’s 5. Belgrano also edged Atlético in saves, 1 to 1.
Standings Implications and What’s Next
With the win, Belgrano moves into first place in the Zona B with 15 points, level with Independiente Rivadavia. Tigre follows closely with 14 points, while Huracán sits in fourth with 9 points. Atlético Tucumán, meanwhile, remains in a precarious position, sitting 12th in the table with 5 points. The team is facing a challenging period and will need to find a way to improve their form quickly.
Belgrano will next travel to face Huracán on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 7:15 PM local time. Atlético Tucumán will host Racing Club on the same day, with kickoff scheduled for 9:15 PM local time. Both matches are crucial as teams vie for position in the Apertura tournament.
A Difficult Night for Atlético Tucumán
For Atlético Tucumán, the defeat represents another setback in a difficult season. The team has struggled to find consistency and has been plagued by defensive vulnerabilities. The performance in Córdoba highlighted these issues, and coach Ricardo Zielinski will be looking for a response from his players in the coming weeks. Reports indicate the team is facing internal pressure to turn their season around.
The match also saw a notable performance from Belgrano goalkeeper Cardozo, who made a crucial save to deny Atlético Tucumán a potential lifeline. His contribution proved vital in maintaining Belgrano’s lead and securing the victory.
Lineups:
Belgrano: Cardozo, Sporle, López, Maldonado, Morales, Vázquez, Sánchez, Rigoni, Zelarayán, Benítez, Fernández.
Atlético Tucumán: Ingolotti, Hernández, Passerini, Tulián, González Metilli, Benítez, Maldonado, Rigoni, Zelarayán, Fernández, Cardozo.
Belgrano’s convincing win over Atlético Tucumán demonstrates their growing strength and ambition in the Liga Profesional de Fútbol Apertura. With a strong squad and a clear tactical approach, they are well-positioned to challenge for the title. For Atlético Tucumán, the focus will now be on regrouping and finding a way to climb the table.
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