Belgrano secured a hard-fought and deserved 1-0 victory over Banfield in the fourth round of the Apertura. In an intense match where Belgrano dominated, the reward came in the second half thanks to the class of Lucas Zelarayán, who scored the goal, as reported by the Argentine News Agency. In the first half, Belgrano took the initiative with a high press and a strong presence in the opponent's half. They created several clear-cut chances from crosses and set-pieces, with shots from Nicolás Fernández, Lisandro López, and Franco Vázquez that tested the Banfield defense. Banfield, for its part, opted to defend and look for quick counter-attacks, though it struggled to find depth and precision in the final third. The game's turning point came in the 9th minute of the second half when Zelarayán picked up the ball outside the area and unleashed a precise right-footed strike that nestled into the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. The goal sparked celebrations in Alberdi and gave 'El Pirata' peace of mind, which allowed them to better manage the game's tempo from then on. Banfield reacted with attacking substitutions and pushed forward in search of an equalizer. In the final stages, the visiting side pushed with crosses and long-range shots, but they were met with a firm and organized Belgrano defense that knew how to close out the match without any scares. With this victory, the Córdoba-based team moves up to eight points, in third place, while 'El Taladro' remains eighth with four points.
