CDA Monte Miaz produced a stirring second-half comeback to beat San Martín Mendoza 2-1 in ARFC action on Sunday, turning a one-goal deficit into three precious points in front of a passionate home crowd. Nicolás Ferreyra levelled on the stroke of half-time before Santiago Quiroga powered home the winner 12 minutes from time, capping a performance built on patience, pressing and no small amount of character.

The result strengthens Monte Miaz's position in the upper half of the ARFC table and hands San Martín Mendoza a frustrating away defeat, one that will sting given how long they protected their lead during a tense, physical contest.

Match Overview

The game was played under the floodlights at the Estadio Monte Miaz, with a lively home support urging their side forward from the first whistle. San Martín Mendoza, organised and compact, arrived with a clear plan: sit deep, absorb pressure and strike on the counter. For much of the first hour, that plan worked almost perfectly.

• Final score: CDA Monte Miaz 2-1 San Martín Mendoza
• Competition: ARFC
• Venue: Estadio Monte Miaz
• Monte Miaz goals: Nicolás Ferreyra (45+2), Santiago Quiroga (78)
• San Martín Mendoza goal: Emiliano Bustos (34)

Key Moments

The visitors drew first blood in the 34th minute. A quick transition down the right caught Monte Miaz with too many bodies ahead of the ball, and when the cutback arrived at the edge of the area, Emiliano Bustos took one touch to steady himself before driving a low finish inside the far post. It was a classic away performance goal — efficient, ruthless and against the run of possession.

Monte Miaz responded with urgency rather than panic. Wave after wave of attacks followed, with the home side forcing a string of corners and free-kicks around the San Martín box. The breakthrough finally arrived deep into first-half stoppage time, when a deflected cross fell kindly for Nicolás Ferreyra, who spun away from his marker and swept the ball home to send the sides in level at the interval.

The second half was one-way traffic for long stretches, but San Martín defended with real discipline and nearly stole the game on the break. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute: a whipped corner from the right was met by captain Santiago Quiroga, whose downward header beat the goalkeeper's dive and sparked wild celebrations along the touchline.

Tactical Story

Monte Miaz's evening was defined by width and persistence. Their full-backs pushed high throughout, pinning San Martín's wide midfielders into defensive roles and allowing the midfield to recycle possession quickly whenever an attack broke down. The hosts' dominance in the air eventually told, with both goals stemming from deliveries into the box.

San Martín Mendoza will take encouragement from their defensive shape and the quality of their counter-attacking, but the inability to hold the ball in the final 20 minutes proved costly. As legs tired, the visitors dropped deeper and deeper, inviting exactly the kind of sustained pressure that eventually broke them.

Standout Performers

• Nicolás Ferreyra (Monte Miaz): The equaliser before the break changed the entire mood of the match, and his movement between the lines constantly unsettled the away back four.
• Santiago Quiroga (Monte Miaz): A commanding presence at the back and the match-winner at the other end — a captain's performance in every sense.
• Emiliano Bustos (San Martín Mendoza): Sharp, intelligent and clinical for his goal; his team's most dangerous outlet all evening.
• San Martín's goalkeeper: Kept his side in the contest with a series of saves in the second half before finally being beaten from the corner.

What It Means for the Season

Three points here keep Monte Miaz firmly in the promotion conversation and underline their reputation as one of the tougher hosts in the ARFC. Coming from behind to win is exactly the kind of result that builds belief over a long campaign, and the manner of the victory — patient, relentless, decided by a set piece — will please the coaching staff as much as the scoreline itself.

For San Martín Mendoza, the defeat is a reminder of how narrow the margins can be in this league. Their away form has been built on resilience, and losing a lead so late in the game will hurt, but the performance offered enough positives to suggest they will remain competitive in the weeks ahead.

Next Up

Monte Miaz will look to carry this momentum into their next ARFC fixture, while San Martín Mendoza return home seeking an immed