Buenos Aires, Jan 25 (NA) -- Tigre defeated Estudiantes de Río Cuarto 2-0 at the José Dellagiovanna stadium, in the match corresponding to the first round of the 2026 Apertura Tournament. The goals of the victory were scored by Alan Barrionuevo at 8 minutes into the second half, and Jalil Elías at 20 minutes into the complement, who made the difference in a match that had been even during the first half, as reported by the Noticias Argentinas Agency. In the first half, the development was balanced and with few clear situations in front of the goals. Despite some isolated attempts, neither team managed to break the zero before the break. In the second half, Tigre came out with more decision and quickly found the opening of the scoreboard. At 8 minutes, Alan Barrionuevo appeared to score 1-0, giving tranquility to the local team. At 20 minutes, Jalil Elías made it 2-0, a blow that finally guided the result. As the minutes went by, both coaches moved the bench in search of variations, which fragmented the game and reduced the intensity. With the result in their favor, the Victoria-based team managed the match times better and took advantage of the spaces left by the rival in their attempt to equalize the score. Estudiantes also suffered the weight of wear and accumulated infractions that resulted in admonitions, such as those for González at 2 minutes into the second half, and Valiente at 7 minutes. The final stretch of the match was once again loaded with fouls and cards, with warnings for Oviedo at 42 minutes of the second half, and for Talpone, at 47, already in added time. In this way, Tigre closed a clear victory in its debut in the 2026 Apertura Tournament, sustained in an evident improvement in the complement and in the efficiency to strike at the right moments, while Estudiantes de Río Cuarto left the José Dellagiovanna with a defeat that forces it to adjust details for the next date.
