Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba 2–1 Central Norte Salta: Late Drama Seals Primera Nacional Win

In a tightly contested Primera Nacional fixture on 27 July 2026, Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba edged past Central Norte Salta with a 2–1 victory at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas. The result kept the home side’s promotion push firmly on track, while Central Norte were left to rue missed opportunities in what proved a pulsating encounter under the lights.

Match Overview

Both teams entered the match needing points: Godoy Cruz aiming to consolidate their place among the early-season frontrunners, and Central Norte fighting to climb away from the lower half of the table. The game began cautiously, but the intensity ratcheted up after the first goal. A second-half surge and a decisive late strike ultimately decided the outcome in favour of El Tomba.

Key Moments

• 16th minute: Godoy Cruz broke the deadlock through a well-worked set piece. A corner from the right was met by centre-back Federico Rasmussen, whose powerful header gave the visiting goalkeeper no chance.
• 58th minute: Central Norte equalised with a moment of individual brilliance. Winger Luis “Lucho” Acosta cut inside from the left and unleashed a curling shot into the top corner, silencing the home crowd.
• 83rd minute: With the match heading for a draw, Godoy Cruz won a free kick 25 metres out. Midfielder Tomás Badaloni stepped up and bent the ball over the wall and inside the far post, sealing the three points.

Tactical Story

Godoy Cruz set up in a fluid 4-3-3, pressing high and relying on full-backs to provide width. Central Norte matched them with a compact 4-4-2, aiming to counter through Acosta and target man José Molina. The first half was a midfield battle, with Godoy Cruz controlling possession but Central Norte looking dangerous on the break. After the hosts’ early goal, Central Norte grew into the game, and their equaliser came from the kind of quick transition they had rehearsed. The winning free kick was a product of sustained pressure in the final third, where Godoy Cruz’s creativity finally broke down a stubborn defensive block.

Standout Players

• Tomás Badaloni (Godoy Cruz): The match-winner with a stunning free kick, Badaloni was also instrumental in build-up play, completing 89% of his passes and creating three chances.
• Luis Acosta (Central Norte): His equaliser was a goal of the season contender. Acosta troubled the Godoy Cruz defence all night with his dribbling and direct running.
• Federico Rasmussen (Godoy Cruz): Opened the scoring and won five aerial duels, providing a solid foundation at the back.

Season Impact

The victory moved Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba into the top four of the Primera Nacional standings, keeping them within striking distance of the automatic promotion places. For Central Norte Salta, the defeat left them in 15th place, just three points above the relegation zone. The loss extended their winless run to four matches and increased the pressure on manager Diego Saja to turn results around quickly.

With the season still in its early stages, both sides have plenty of time to adjust. But for Godoy Cruz, this gritty performance showed the character needed to sustain a promotion challenge in Argentina’s challenging second tier.