Maidana Brace Fires Talleres Past Defensa y Justicia in Liga Profesional Apertura
Alexandro Maidana delivered a decisive brace as CA Talleres claimed a 2–1 victory away to CSyD Defensa y Justicia on Matchday 14 of the Liga Profesional Apertura.
The visitors took control early. In the 15th minute, Maidana opened the scoring for Talleres, putting his side 1–0 up and giving the Córdoba club a platform to manage the first half. Defensa y Justicia struggled to find a response before the break, and the only notable disciplinary action came when Talleres defender Matías Catalán was shown a yellow card in the 43rd minute.
Talleres doubled their advantage just after the hour mark. In the 61st minute, Maidana struck again, this time finishing a move created by Franco Cristaldo, whose assist helped push the score to 2–0 for the away side.
Defensa y Justicia turned to their bench in search of a comeback, introducing Elías Pereyra on 57 minutes, followed by a double change on 64 minutes as Éver Banega and César Pérez entered the fray. The adjustments eventually paid off. In the 79th minute, Ayrton Portillo pulled one back for the hosts, giving them late hope at 2–1.
Further changes followed on both sides, with Talleres refreshing their attack and midfield, and Defensa y Justicia adding Alan Coria and Mateo Aguiar on 80 minutes to chase an equaliser. Talleres midfielder Diego Ortegoza, introduced in the 76th minute, later went into the book with an 88th-minute yellow card as the visitors dug in to protect their lead.
Despite late pressure from Defensa y Justicia, Talleres held firm to secure all three points. Detailed information on lineups, possession, and other match statistics was not available at the time of writing.
For more on the Liga Profesional Apertura, visit the Ballaxy league page or the team hubs for Defensa y Justicia and Talleres. Full match details can be found on the Ballaxy match centre.
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 |
