Newells Old Boys produced a highly efficient performance to beat Huracan 2-0 at the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó, a result that defied the large share of possession enjoyed by the home side. The Lemeister model had rated Huracan as favourites with a 42% win probability, but Newells demonstrated superior cutting edge in the final third, scoring twice in the first half and then defending their lead with discipline. The visitors’ 28% possession was the lowest of any team in the round, yet they generated a higher expected goals figure of 1.35 against Huracan’s 0.88, underscoring a match decided by clinical finishing and solid organisation.
The opening goal arrived in the 27th minute when L. Herrera found the net, with C. Gonzalez credited with the assist. Just eight minutes later, Gonzalez turned from provider to scorer, netting a second goal in the 35th minute to put Newells firmly in control. The double strike came from only four shots on target for the visitors across the match, illustrating the quality of their finishing. Huracan, by contrast, managed 15 total shots but placed only four on goal, with the Newells goalkeeper making three saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Possession statistics told a stark tale of two contrasting approaches. Huracan dominated the ball with 72% and completed 431 accurate passes at an 84% success rate, while Newells managed just 214 passes with a 56% accuracy. The home side also took six corner kicks to none for the visitors and had eight shots from inside the box. Yet for all their territorial dominance, Huracan could not translate that pressure into goals, and their expected goals of 0.88 reflects a failure to create high-quality chances against a compact Newells defence.
Defensively, Newells were organised and resilient, committing 22 fouls to Huracan’s 14 and collecting three yellow cards. Víctor Cuesta was cautioned early in the second half, followed by Martín Fernández and Juan Manuel García in the later stages, but the visitors avoided a red card and held firm. Huracan’s only yellow card went to Matko Miljevic in the 56th minute. The home side’s goalkeeper made two saves, but both were insufficient to prevent the two first-half goals.
The individual ratings reflected the decisive contributions. Carlos Gonzalez earned a match-high 8.3 rating for his goal and assist, while Juan Espínola, presumably the Newells goalkeeper, was awarded an 8.2 for his safe handling. Leonardo Sequeira was Huracan’s top performer with a 7.9 rating, and Alejo Montero of Newells matched that score. Saúl Salcedo also stood out for the visitors with a 7.5.
The defeat leaves Huracan with work to do in the second phase, having failed to capitalise on home advantage and overwhelming possession. Newells, meanwhile, collected a valuable away win that moves them above their opponents in the standings, demonstrating that efficiency can trump control in Argentina’s competitive top flight. The Lemeister model’s pre-match projection of a 1-0 home win proved wide of the mark, as Newells outperformed expectations with a clinical display that maximised limited opportunities.
