Independiente Rivadavia defeated Defensa y Justicia 2-0 in matchday 16 of the Liga Profesional, played at Estadio Norberto Tomaghello. The goals were scored by Matías Fernández in the 13th minute of the first half and Sheyko Studer in the 23rd of the second. Despite Defensa's higher possession, they failed to convert their chances.
The match took place on November 17, 2025, at 17:00 Argentina time at Estadio Norberto Tomaghello in Florencio Varela, refereed by Bruno Amiconi. Independiente Rivadavia, coached by Alfredo Berti, lined up with Nicolás Bolcato in goal; Alejo Osella, Leonard Costa, Sheyko Studer, and Mauricio Cardillo in defense; Tomás Bottari, Maximiliano Amarfil, and Luciano Gómez in midfield; Matías Fernández, Fabrizio Sartori, and Sebastián Villa up front. Defensa y Justicia, led by Mariano Soso, started with Enrique Bologna; Lucas Ferreira, Santiago Sosa Yung, Rafael Delgado, and Ezequiel Cannavó at the back; Tobías Rubio, Matías Miranda, and Aarón Molinas in the middle; Juan Manuel Gutiérrez, Abiel Osorio, and Juan Bautista Miritello in attack.
The first goal came early: Matías Fernández scored in the 13th minute of the first half (PT), giving Independiente Rivadavia a 1-0 lead. At halftime, Defensa held 61% possession and 8 shots on target to the opponents' 5, but couldn't equalize. In the second half (ST), Sheyko Studer made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute. Defensa finished with 62% possession, 11 shots on target (vs. 7), and 443 accurate passes (vs. 201), but committed only 6 fouls to 15 by the rivals.
Key substitutions: For Defensa, Rafael Delgado and Aarón Molinas were replaced by Nicolás Stefanelli and Lucas González (32' and 16' ST); for Independiente Rivadavia, Mauricio Cardillo, Fabrizio Sartori, Luciano Gómez, and Alejo Osella by Ezequiel Bonifacio, Nicolás Retamar, Tiago Andino, and Iván Villalba (28', 17', 36' ST). Yellow cards went to Matías Fernández (9' ST), Lucas González (40' ST), and Iván Villalba (41' ST). No red cards.
Independiente Rivadavia, 14th in Zone A, came off a 0-0 draw with Central Córdoba (SE) and aims to build after recent losses. Defensa, 11th in Zone A, extends a poor run with three straight defeats prior, including 0-1 to Racing. In recent head-to-heads, Independiente Rivadavia won the last two: 3-2 in May 2025 and 1-0 in September 2024. The game aired on ESPN Premium.