The Clausura Tournament 2025 kicked off with a match full of emotion, controversy, and a vibrant pace
between Vélez Sarsfield and Tigre, two teams with different realities but the same objective: to start off on the right foot. In a packed José Amalfitani stadium, the "Fortín" prevailed 2-1 in a duel that had goals, expulsions, VAR, and moments of high tension.
Vélez Sarsfield (home)
The team managed by Gustavo Quinteros was determined to impose conditions from the outset. With high pressure and vertical play, Vélez dominated a large part of the first half, generating several dangerous situations mainly from the flanks.
⚽ Goals:
● 45+1’ – Tomás Galván opened the scoring after a great collective play and a precise assist from Imanol Machuca.
● 45+3’ – Machuca himself extended the lead with a powerful cross shot, following a recovery in the opponent's half and a quick transition.
Details:
● 🟨 Booked: Magallán, Romero
● 🟥 Expulsions: None
● Star Player: Imanol Machuca – A key figure in the match, with one goal and one assist, he constantly unsettled the defense from the right.
● Tactical Strategy: Constant pressure, offensive explosion from the flanks, and great efficiency in the final meters.
● Tense Moment: A penalty committed by Magallán in the final minutes almost overshadowed what was a solid collective performance.
Tigre (away)
Under the management of Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the "Matador" team opted for a more conservative strategy, pulling back lines and looking to attack quickly through Cano and Braian Martínez. However, the approach did not have the desired effect in the first half, and defensive errors proved costly.
⚽ Goal:
● 84’ – Diego Sosa scored from the penalty spot after a clear foul on Braian Martínez.
❌ Disallowed Goal:
● 23’ – Ramón Arias had scored with a header to make it 0-1, but VAR detected a prior foul and ruled it out.
Details:
● 🟨 Booked: Arias (double yellow), Prediger
● 🟥 Sent off: Ramón Arias (min. 79), for double yellow
● Coach sent off: Guillermo Barros Schelotto, after protesting vehemently the disallowed goal to Arias
● Tactical Strategy: Mid-block, pressure in zone 2, and quick transition to space. Struggled to generate a flow of play.
Key Moments of the Match
● 23’ – Tigre's goal disallowed for a prior foul; major controversy with VAR intervention.
● 45+1’ – Vélez opens the scoring with a textbook collective play.
● 45+3’ – Machuca scores 2-0 before the break, unleashing euphoria in Liniers.
● 79’ – Arias sent off for double yellow; Tigre is left with one fewer player.
● 84’ – Penalty converted by Sosa, adding suspense to the final stretch.
● Final – Vélez withstands the last attack and secures three important points at home.
📊 Key Statistics
Category Vélez 🔵 Tigre 🔴
Possession 55% 45%
Shots on target 7 4
Fouls committed 10 14
Booked 2 3
Sent off 0 1
Goals disallowed (VAR) 0 1
Final Opinion
The match was vibrant, with moments of high emotional and footballing voltage. Vélez was superior in the first half, with a solid performance from their midfield and incisive forwards. Imanol Machuca's figure made the difference with his play and determination.
Tigre, for its part, showed good passages in the second half, but defensive errors and lack of clarity in the final meters ultimately condemned them. The controversy over the disallowed goal and the expulsion of coach Barros Schelotto added tension to a complicated debut.
Conclusion: Vélez starts the Clausura with optimism and good feelings. Tigre must correct quickly if they want to be competitive.
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