Buenos Aires, Feb 24 (NA) - Independiente drew 1-1 with Gimnasia de Mendoza in a match with few dangerous moments, played this evening at the Victor Legrotaglie stadium, for the seventh round of the 2026 Apertura Tournament. According to the Argentine News Agency, the home team took the lead from the sixth minute with a great goal from the edge of the area by forward Santiago Rodríguez, while Independiente managed to equalize in the 42nd minute of the first half with a goal from midfielder Ignacio Malcorra. Additionally, defender Sebastián Valdez was sent off in the 44th minute of the second half for a second yellow card. With the draw, 'Rojo' remained in sixth place in Zone A with 10 points, while the team coached by Ariel Broggi is in thirteenth place with seven points in the same number of matches. In the next round, Gustavo Quinteros' team will host Central Córdoba on Saturday, February 28, at 20:00, while the Mendoza side will visit Boca on the same day, starting at 17:45. The first chance came from the home team in the third minute, with a long-range shot from midfielder Nicolás Linares that went wide to the left post, which goalkeeper Rodrigo Rey managed to deflect. In the sixth minute of the first half, a half-volley from the left edge of the area after a cross by forward Santiago Rodríguez went over the head of goalkeeper Rodrigo Rey, who reacted late, and went in at the far post for the 1-0. There were no more dangerous chances until the 42nd minute, when Malcorra shot with his right foot and, after the rebound off a defender, regained the ball to shoot again, this time with his left, a low shot that went in at the right post of goalkeeper Lautaro Petruchi and made it 1-1. In the 12th minute of the second half, forward Gabriel Ávalos controlled with his chest after a poor defensive clearance and finished quickly, although his left-footed shot went high. Defender Sebastián Valdez was sent off in the 44th minute for two bookings: the first was for hitting with his arm during a header with forward Valentino Simoni, while the second was for a hold against attacker Blas Armoa, to the side of the area.
