Atlético Tucumán defeated Progreso 2-1 in a friendly match of the Río de la Plata series, played this afternoon at the Federico Saroldi park, owned by River Plate from Montevideo. According to the Argentine News Agency, the 'Decano' goals were scored by striker Ramiro Ruiz Rodríguez at four and seven minutes, while for the Uruguayan team, midfielder Fabricio Fernández scored. Thus, the team from the province of Tucumán added three wins in the preseason friendlies against Cerro Largo from Uruguay, Everton from Chile, and the aforementioned Progreso, and is fully prepared for its debut in the 2026 Apertura Tournament, when it will have to visit Independiente Rivadavia next Friday, January 23, at 22:15. The first goal of the match came at four minutes, when a good collective play ended with a control by winger Renzo Tesuri on the edge of the area and the subsequent shot by Ruiz Rodríguez, who was left one-on-one and defeated goalkeeper Agustín Requena. Just three minutes later, a long pass from midfielder Nicolás Lamendola again left Ruiz Rodríguez free, who ran behind the defense and shot crosswise for the 2-0. The 'Decano' approached the third goal of the match at 12 minutes, with a loaded shot from the edge of the area by winger Lautaro Godoy, which Requena deflected greatly on his left post. Progreso discounted at 34 minutes, with a bad exit by goalkeeper Luis Ingolotti, who gave the ball to Fernández, who shot from above from the edge of the area. A minute later, a cross pass enabled striker Leandro Díaz, who turned on the small area and defined crosswise, although he deflected his shot from a very close position to the rival goal. Atlético Tucumán was left with 10 players for three minutes of the complement, due to the expulsion of Lamendola, who was booked and committed a tactical foul on the left side of his area. Godoy again generated danger at five minutes of the second half, with a volley that went near the second post. Progreso had the arrivals of the match at 40 and 41 minutes, with a low and cross shot from the right lane of Mauro Martín, which Ingolotti managed to deflect to the side. A minute later, the same Martín missed a header on the small area.
