Liga Profesional

Defensa Y Justicia Edge Platense in Costa Final Whistle Drama

D. Martinez's 75th-minute strike gave the hosts all three points after a tense afternoon in Gobernador Julio A. Costa that finished 1-0.

2026-09-01

A solitary strike from D. Martinez separated the sides at Estadio Norberto Tomaghello, with Defensa Y Justicia holding on for a 1-0 victory over Platense after a late red card threatened to swing momentum. The result lifts the hosts into the top four of Clausura - Group A while leaving their visitors searching for a response.

At a glance

• Final score: Defensa Y Justicia 1-0 Platense (Liga Profesional Argentina, Clausura - 7)
• Goal: D. Martinez 75' (assist D. Barbona), counting for Defensa Y Justicia
• Cards: 6 yellows and 1 red across both sides; P. Ferreira sent off in stoppage time for Platense

Match context

Played on a sweltering evening in Gobernador Julio A. Costa, the fixture entered halftime deadlocked at 0-0 despite both coaches sticking with compact shapes. Defensa Y Justicia lined up under Mariano Soso in a 4-1-4-1, while Martin Palermo's Platense opted for a more direct 4-4-2. The first booking came early when T. Silva drilled a late challenge on 19 minutes, but neither side managed to break the deadlock before the break.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 75th minute when D. Martinez slotted home from inside the box, with D. Barbona picking up the assist. The goal came during a phase where Defensa Y Justicia had begun to impose themselves through the middle, and their patient build-up finally yielded rewards.

Competitive consequences

With the three points secured, Defensa Y Justicia climb to fourth in Clausura - Group A on 11 points from six games, keeping them firmly in the playoff conversation. Platense, meanwhile, remain in the bottom half on eight points, and their task grew harder when P. Ferreira was shown a second yellow card in the 90+6th minute, leaving them to finish the match with ten men.

The late sending-off added drama to a match that had otherwise been tightly contested. Despite being reduced to ten, Platense pushed forward in the dying stages but could not find a leveller, allowing Defensa Y Justicia to see out the result under referee Juan Pablo Loustau's final whistle.

Key takeaways

• D. Martinez's goal proved decisive in a match where chances were limited
• Late discipline cost Platense, with P. Ferreira receiving a straight red in stoppage time
• Both coaches stuck with their preferred systems, but only Defensa Y Justicia found a way through
• The win moves the hosts above the relegation zone and within touching distance of the playoff spots

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