Rosario Central turned an uncomfortable night in Junín into a victory of major competitive value. Jorge Almirón's side beat Sarmiento 2-1 in round 15 of the Clausura after falling behind and finding the decisive goal in added time. The three points moved Central top of Zone B and the annual standings, where it finished the match on 59.
Sarmiento struck first through a direct, well-executed move. Mavilla found the pass towards Manuel García, and the forward finished while the contest was still settling into its shape. The goal forced Central to accept more risk against a home side now able to drop deeper, protect the central lanes and choose the right moments for counterattacks.
The response arrived around the half-hour and rewarded patience in sustaining the move. Franco Cervi held up possession, Agustín Sández advanced down the flank and his delivery exposed an uncertain defence. Gastón Ávila used the opening to make it 1-1. The defender restored balance and began becoming the unexpected central figure in a comeback that remained unfinished.
Almirón changed his attack after the first quarter-hour of the second half, replacing Ángel Di María with Julián Fernández. Removing the team's reference point did not mean abandoning the pursuit; it redistributed energy as the match opened up. Central preserved its initiative, although goalkeeper Ayala denied an Ávila free kick and extended Sarmiento's resistance.
The game shifted through the dismissals. Renzo Orihuela received a red card and left Sarmiento with ten; Santiago Salle was later sent off as well, forcing the hosts to play the closing stretch with nine. Central held the numerical advantage but still had to use it without relying on hurried crosses. The imbalance explains the siege without erasing the merit required to turn possession into a decisive chance.
The winning goal came in stoppage time and again carried Ávila's name. His double completed an unusual attacking performance for a defender and prevented territorial control from ending in an inadequate draw. The result also demonstrated a trait needed for the decisive phase: Central recovered from an early blow, changed personnel and maintained its conviction until the last useful attack.
The reward is double but still provisional. Central lead Zone B and the annual table with 59 points, two above Boca and Argentinos Juniors at the final whistle, while those pursuers still have fixtures to complete. Later games may change the margins but not the value of Junín: Almirón's side secured points carrying weight both for the immediate qualification race and access to next season's continental competitions.
