CA 9 de Julio Rafaela 3-2 El Linqueno
ARFC – Matchday 14 | 23 June 2026, 07:15 local time

CA 9 de Julio Rafaela edged out a thrilling 3-2 victory over El Linqueno in an early‑morning ARFC clash that had everything: early drama, a fightback, and a late winner. The home side climbed the standings with the three points, while El Linqueno left empty‑handed after a spirited second‑half rally fell just short.

Match Overview

From the first whistle, Rafaela showed intent. They pressed high and exploited the flanks, while El Linqueno looked to absorb pressure and hit on the counter. The first 20 minutes set the tone for an open, end‑to‑end contest that produced five goals and plenty of talking points.

Key Moments

• 12’ – 1-0 – A precise through ball split the El Linqueno defence, and the Rafaela forward slotted calmly past the goalkeeper.
• 28’ – 2-0 – A corner kick was met with a powerful header at the near post, doubling the home side’s advantage.
• 34’ – Penalty to Rafaela – A handball in the box gave the hosts a chance to make it three, but the spot‑kick was saved low to the keeper’s right.
• 45’ – 2-1 – El Linqueno struck just before half‑time: a swift counter‑attack ended with a composed finish from the edge of the box.
• 63’ – 3-1 – A defensive mix‑up allowed a Rafaela midfielder to pounce on a loose ball and fire home from close range.
• 78’ – 3-2 – El Linqueno pulled one back through a well‑worked set piece, a header that gave the home keeper no chance.
• 88’ – Red card – El Linqueno’s right‑back received a second yellow for a late tackle, reducing the visitors to ten men for the final minutes.

Tactical Story

CA 9 de Julio Rafaela set up in a 4‑2‑3‑1, with wide players stretching the pitch and full‑backs overlapping. Their double pivot provided defensive cover but also launched quick transitions. El Linqueno, in a compact 4‑4‑2, struggled to contain the early runs from deep. The visitors improved after shifting to a 4‑3‑3 at half‑time, which gave them more presence in midfield and created the platform for their comeback attempt. However, Rafaela’s ability to regain control after conceding the second goal—and the late sending off—ultimately sealed the win.

Standout Players

• Rafaela’s #10 (attacking midfielder): Involved in two goals, his vision and passing unlocked the defence repeatedly.
• Rafaela’s centre‑back: Dominant in aerial duels, made crucial clearances and scored the second goal.
• El Linqueno’s #9 (striker): Scored one and assisted another, a constant threat even in defeat.

Season Impact

The win takes CA 9 de Julio Rafaela to 23 points from 14 matches, keeping them in the upper half of the ARFC table and within touching distance of the promotion play‑off spots. For El Linqueno, the defeat leaves them on 16 points, hovering just above the relegation zone. With the second half of the season approaching, both sides know every point matters in the race for survival and glory.