Argentinos Juniors secured a 1-0 victory over Atlético Tucumán in the Argentine Primera División’s Torneo Apertura 2026, moving closer to playoff contention in Zone B. The match, played at Estadio Diego Armando Maradona in La Paternal, Buenos Aires, saw the home side edge out their visitors through a solitary goal from midfielder Nicolás Molina in the 34th minute.
Molina’s strike came after a swift counterattack initiated by goalkeeper Emanuel Bilbao, who distributed the ball quickly to the left flank. The play unfolded as Molina received a pass near the edge of the penalty area, controlled the ball with his left foot, and fired a low shot past Atlético Tucumán’s goalkeeper into the bottom-left corner of the net.
The win marked Argentinos Juniors’ second consecutive victory in the Apertura, boosting their standing in Zone B and increasing pressure on rival teams vying for playoff spots. Atlético Tucumán, meanwhile, suffered their first loss of the season, dropping to a record of 1-1-1 after opening with a win and a draw.
Argentinos Juniors’ coach, Gabriel Milito, emphasized the team’s focus on maintaining momentum, stating after the match that the squad is “fully committed to pushing for a top-four finish in Zone B.” Atlético Tucumán’s manager, Luis Miguel Rodríguez, acknowledged the defeat but noted his team’s resilience, adding that they will “review the performance and prepare for the next challenge.”
The result keeps Argentinos Juniors in contention for a playoff berth, with the team now sitting just two points behind the current leaders in Zone B. Atlético Tucumán will look to rebound in their upcoming fixture against Newell’s Old Boys, while Argentinos Juniors prepare to face Banfield in their next league match.
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