Independiente Fight Back to Beat Defensa 3–1 in Liga Profesional Apertura
CA Independiente produced a confident response after falling behind early to claim a 3–1 home win over CSyD Defensa y Justicia on matchday 15 of the Liga Profesional Apertura on 18 April 2026.
The visitors struck first inside eight minutes from the penalty spot. Aaron Molinas converted to give Defensa y Justicia a 1–0 lead and briefly silence the home crowd.
Independiente answered quickly with a spot-kick of their own. In the 15th minute, Gabriel Ávalos stepped up and levelled the match at 1–1, restoring momentum for the hosts.
The turnaround was complete before the half-hour mark. In the 29th minute, Maximiliano Gutierrez finished a well-worked move, with Ávalos providing the assist, to make it 2–1 to Independiente. The goal ensured the home side went into the break in front.
Both coaches turned to their benches after the interval. Defensa y Justicia introduced César Pérez at half-time, while Independiente later brought on Lautaro Millán and Rodrigo Fernández in a double change in the 68th minute. Additional substitutions followed for both sides as they searched for a decisive moment.
Independiente finally killed off the contest deep into stoppage time. In the 90+4th minute, substitute Lautaro Millán added a third goal, finishing after an assist from fellow substitute Felipe Tempone to seal a 3–1 victory.
The match featured several bookings: Facundo Zabala and Mateo Perez Curci were cautioned for Independiente, while Santiago Sosa and Ayrton Portillo received yellow cards for Defensa y Justicia.
Beyond the confirmed goals, bookings and substitutions, detailed statistical data and other match events were not available at the time of writing.
For more on the Liga Profesional Apertura, visit the competition page on Ballaxy. Full match information is available on the Independiente vs Defensa y Justicia fixture page.
Liga Profesional Standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
CS Independiente Rivadavia
|
16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 15 | 14 | 34 | D W D W |
| 2 |
CA River Plate
|
16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 29 | L W L W W |
| 3 |
AA Argentinos Juniors
|
16 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 29 | L W W L W |
| 4 |
CA Rosario Central
|
16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 20 | 16 | 4 | 28 | D W W L W |
| 5 |
CA Belgrano
|
16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 26 | W L D W L |
| 6 |
Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata
|
16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 26 | W W W W L |
| 7 |
CA Huracán
|
16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 22 | D L D W W |
| 8 |
Racing Club
|
16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 15 | 2 | 21 | D D D L L |
| 9 |
CA Barracas Central
|
16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 21 | L D D W |
| 10 |
CA Tigre
|
16 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 20 | D L D D |
| 11 |
CA Sarmiento de Junín
|
16 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 19 | L W L L |
| 12 |
CA Banfield
|
16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 19 | -2 | 18 | W D D L L |
| 13 |
CA Tucumán
|
16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 20 | -5 | 14 | W D L D L |
| 14 |
CA Aldosivi
|
16 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 19 | -13 | 8 | D L D L D |
| 15 |
Estudiantes de Río Cuarto
|
16 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 24 | -19 | 5 | L L L L D |
| 1 |
Estudiantes de La Plata
|
16 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 31 | W D W W |
| 2 |
CA Boca Juniors
|
16 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 22 | 9 | 13 | 30 | W W W D |
| 3 |
CA Vélez Sarsfield
|
16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 28 | D D D W |
| 4 |
CA Talleres
|
16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 26 | D D W W |
| 5 |
CA Independiente
|
16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 24 | W L W D W |
| 6 |
CA Lanús
|
16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 24 | D D L W |
| 7 |
CA San Lorenzo de Almagro
|
16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 22 | L W D D |
| 8 |
CA Unión
|
16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 24 | 20 | 4 | 21 | D D L L |
| 9 |
Instituto AC Córdoba
|
16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 21 | W D L W W |
| 10 |
CSyD Defensa y Justicia
|
16 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 21 | -3 | 19 | L L L L L |
| 11 |
CA Gimnasia y Esgrima de Mendoza
|
16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 22 | -8 | 19 | W L W D |
| 12 |
CA Platense
|
16 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 16 | L L L D |
| 13 |
CA Central Córdoba
|
16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 21 | -10 | 16 | L D W L L |
| 14 |
CA Newell's Old Boys
|
16 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 27 | -12 | 15 | D D W D W |
| 15 |
CD Riestra
|
16 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 11 | D W L L |
