It will likely have little bearing on Zona Campeonato B but San Lorenzo fought off Atlético Tucumán with ten men to claim an impressive three points and end a poor run of form.

Ángel Romero rolling in an early penalty after Alexander Díaz had been bundled over provided the perfect start for San Lorenzo. Atlético responded well and on the balance of play deserved to be level at the break. However, they didn’t need to wait long into the second half. A disastrous minute for the visitors saw Víctor Salazar sent off for a second yellow card offence and from the resulting free kick Leonardo Heredia headed in.

The home side, who had been perfect in the first group stage, looked on course to claim their first win of the second phase but the introduction of Nicolás Fernández swung the game in San Lorenzo’s favour. The 24-year-old has been out of action of almost a year after suffering a knee ligament injury shortly after signing yet needed only ten minutes to drill the Cuervos back in front.

Two minutes from time Fernández exchanged passes with Juan Ramírez and the midfielder ran clear to round Cristian Lucchetti and seal victory.

Still five points adrift of group leaders Banfield, it looks unlikely that San Lorenzo will take a place in the Copa Diego Maradona final but Mariano Soso will take positives from the performance. His opposite number Ricardo Zielinski confirmed after the game that he would be leaving Atlético Tucumán after three and a half years in charge and El Ruso is expected to take over at Estudiantes in 2021.

In Zona Complementación A, Rosario Central joined Defensa y Justicia at the top after a 1-0 win away to Aldosivi.

Alan Marinelli’s smart finish on the turn gave the 21-year-old his fourth goal in three games and was enough to take all three points leaving the Canalla in a great position to challenge.

Lanús had the opportunity to join them on seven points but with focus perhaps on next month’s Copa Sudamericana semi-final slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Unión.

Fernando Márquez slid in the opener just before the half hour mark and youngster Gastón González doubled the lead just after the break.

While Unión didn’t create much else aside from their goals, Lanús lacked precision in the final third and will need two positive results if they are to win the group.