Argentinos Juniors staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Sarmiento Junín 3–2 away from home on 24 July 2026 in an entertaining Argentine Primera División fixture. The match, which kicked off at 06:30 local time, saw the hosts take an early 2-0 lead before the visitors roared back with three unanswered goals in a stunning second-half display. The result lifted Argentinos Juniors into the top six, while Sarmiento Junín remained in the lower half of the table after this painful defeat.

Match Overview

Sarmiento Junín came flying out of the blocks, scoring twice inside the first 20 minutes to stun the traveling Argentinos Juniors support. The home side looked in complete control, but Argentinos gradually grew into the game before halftime and emerged a different team after the break. A tactical shift by coach Pablo Guede allowed his side to dominate the second period, scoring three goals to secure a memorable victory. The match was a testament to the resilience and quality of Argentinos Juniors.

Key Moments

• 9th minute – Goal (Sarmiento): A cross from the right was headed home by striker Jonathan Torres, who rose above his marker at the near post.
• 18th minute – Goal (Sarmiento): A defensive error from Argentinos allowed midfielder Emiliano Méndez to intercept a pass and fire low into the corner.
• 45+2 minute – Goal (Argentinos): Just before halftime, winger Gabriel Ávalos latched onto a through ball and slotted past the keeper, halving the deficit.
• 56th minute – Goal (Argentinos): A free kick from the left was headed in by defender Kevin Mac Allister, making it 2-2.
• 73rd minute – Goal (Argentinos): Substitute midfielder Alan Rodríguez struck a brilliant volley from the edge of the box to complete the turnaround.

Tactical Story

Sarmiento began in a 4-2-3-1, pressing high and catching Argentinos cold with quick transitions. However, after the early goals, they retreated into a deeper block, inviting pressure. Argentinos switched from a 4-3-3 to a more aggressive 4-2-4 after halftime, with full-backs pushing higher and the wingers cutting inside. The change overloaded Sarmiento’s defense, and the visitors exploited the space with sharp passing and movement. Sarmiento’s inability to adjust after their early dominance proved costly.

Standout Players

• Gabriel Ávalos (Argentinos): Scored a crucial goal just before halftime and was a constant menace with his dribbling.
• Kevin Mac Allister (Argentinos): His headed equalizer turned the momentum, and he was solid at the back.
• Alan Rodríguez (Argentinos): Came off the bench to score the winner with a superb strike.
• Jonathan Torres (Sarmiento): Scored the opening goal and led the line well in the first half.

Season Impact

Argentinos Juniors climbed to 6th place with 27 points from 18 matches, strengthening their push for a Copa Libertadores qualifying spot. Sarmiento Junín dropped to 17th with 19 points, sitting just four points above the relegation zone. The defeat will sting for Sarmiento, who must regroup quickly before facing Atlético Tucumán. Argentinos Juniors will look to build on this fightback when they host Unión Santa Fe next weekend.