Gimnasia profits en the Bosque and reaches the top of group B

There was barely any need to wait for the wind to settle things: at 13 minutes, Gimnasia scored a goal that was more accident than design. Mauricio Martínez's poor control left Sarmiento in trouble, and his pass back toward goalkeeper Thyago Ayala became the beginning of an own goal of sorts. Nacho Fernández pressed, the ball hit his body and the rebound went in. Strange, but no less valuable.

The captain of the Lobo ended up on the ground after the impact, although the celebration was fully justified. Gimnasia took the lead against Sarmiento and kept looking for a second goal. In the first half, Fernández also had a one-on-one chance that Ayala resolved by sending the ball to the corner with difficulty.

The VAR erased one goal, but the second stood

The match became more open in the second half, with chances for both teams. At the ninth minute, Lucas Janson celebrated what appeared to be the 2-0. Referee Sebastián Martínez went to the VAR, however, and ruled out the goal because of an earlier foul by Ignacio Miramón. The referee, apparently determined to make everyone work, restored the 1-0.

At 30 minutes, Franco Torres provided the definitive difference. He had come on from the bench, received the ball from Fernández and produced a well-placed shot from the edge of the area. Ayala got a hand to it but could not prevent it from going in. A goal worthy of the reward, especially because it did not require a VAR intervention.

“With this result, Gimnasia reached 25 points in group B, the same number as Rosario Central and Argentinos Juniors, who have not yet played this date. The qualification for the quarterfinals is practically secured, although mathematical confirmation is still pending.”Ignacio Villarroel, Deportes

• Gimnasia and Sarmiento played the 14th date of the Clausura at the Bosque.
• Nacho Fernández scored the opening goal at 13 minutes of the first half.
• Lucas Janson's goal was annulled by the VAR because of a foul by Ignacio Miramón.
• Franco Torres made it 2-0 with a placed shot from the edge of the area.
• The Lobo reached 25 points and shares the top of group B with Rosario Central and Argentinos Juniors.
• Sarmiento remains in fifth place with 21 points, two above ninth-placed Independiente Rivadavia.

The table is now the main question. Rosario Central and Argentinos still have to play, and their results could change the order at the top. Gimnasia did its part: it won in the Bosque, reached 25 points and is practically through. Sarmiento, meanwhile, is left with two dates to recover ground and avoid slipping outside the playoffs.

How will the results of Rosario Central and Argentinos affect the Lobo's position? I think the champion candidate can breathe a little easier: the team that won at the Bosque has the points and the margin. The rest is a matter of arithmetic, and mathematics, as always, has little interest in celebrations. We'll see what happens in the upcoming dates. That's the one that's coming, and the court awaits.