However, neither team wanted to miss the opportunity and ended up playing the match at the Brazilian club's stadium. Under Mariano Soso's guidance, the team managed to win in the debut of Rubén Botta, a 35-year-old attacking midfielder from Talleres de Córdoba, and David Martínez, a Paraguayan defender with a past at River. Although both started the game, the central defender left the field at the 6th minute of the second half, while the midfielder born in San Juan played the entire match. In this way, the 'Halcón' got off to a winning start in the 2026 season and is preparing for the start of the Apertura Tournament against Aldosivi on Thursday, January 22, at 5:00 PM, having verbally agreed to sign Éver Banega. Buenos Aires, January 8 (NA) – Defensa y Justicia got off to a winning start in 2026 with a 1-0 victory over Santa Cruz, a third-division team from Brazil, in a match held at the Itaipava Arena Pernambuco stadium. According to the Argentine News Agency, the goal came from David Fernández in the 23rd minute of the second half and sealed the victory in a match that ultimately had a friendly nature. Initially, the Vitória Cup was supposed to host the match, but a few hours before it was communicated that it was canceled due to 'commercial barriers'.
