Since this is journalistic match recap writing for a football website, I need to match the tone to sports journalism. This isn’t quite technical documentation or typical corporate content, but sports writing for an authoritative football site. Let me write this match recap following the principles while adapting for sports journalism:

Sarmiento Edge Past Ten-Man Banfield with Late Drama at Estadio Eva Perón

Sarmiento Junin 1-0 Banfield
Liga Profesional Argentina, Regular Season - Round 2
30 January 2026

Sarmiento Junin capitalised on Nicolás Meriano’s first-half dismissal to secure a crucial 1-0 victory over Banfield at Estadio Eva Perón, with Diego Churín converting from the penalty spot in stoppage time of the opening period.

The match turned on the stroke of half-time when Banfield defender Meriano received his marching orders for what appeared to be a last-man challenge in the box. Churín stepped up to dispatch the resulting penalty with conviction, sending the home crowd into raptures just as the interval whistle beckoned.

Sarmiento’s Statistical Dominance

The numerical advantage allowed Sarmiento to assert their authority in the second half, finishing with commanding statistics that reflected their control. The hosts registered 23 shots to Banfield’s nine, enjoyed 61% possession, and forced eight saves from the visiting goalkeeper compared to just two at the other end.

Particularly telling was Sarmiento’s accuracy in the final third - nine shots on target demonstrated their clinical approach once they’d gained the man advantage. Their 79% pass completion rate, significantly higher than Banfield’s 66%, illustrated the tactical discipline that has seen them climb to ninth in the table.

Tactical Adjustments Define Second Period

Both managers made extensive use of their benches as the match wore on, with Sarmiento rotating five players including goalscorer Churín, who was withdrawn after his penalty heroics. Banfield’s task became increasingly difficult as yellow cards to Tomás Adoryan and Matías López further disrupted their rhythm.

The victory moves Sarmiento level on points with their opponents, both sitting on the periphery of the top half with 20 and 21 points respectively from their opening 16 fixtures. For Sarmiento, this represents a vital response to their recent poor form of two defeats in five matches, whilst Banfield’s promising run of three wins in four games comes to an abrupt halt.

With referee Sebastián Nicolás Martínez keeping tight control in an increasingly fractious encounter that saw six bookings, Sarmiento’s patience ultimately proved decisive in what was always likely to be a cagey affair between two sides separated by just one point in the standings.