Platense 2–2 Unión Santa Fe | Liga Profesional de Fútbol | July 25, 2026

Result Summary

A dramatic late equalizer ensured the spoils were shared at Ciudad Universitaria, as Platense and Unión Santa Fe played out a 2–2 draw in what proved to be an absorbing Liga Profesional contest. Substitute Bautista Merlini struck in the 87th minute to cancel out Juan Ludueña's headed effort for the visitors, capping a match that swung between both sides with increasing intensity.

Match Analysis

Platense were the more dominant side across the 90 minutes by virtually every statistical measure. Walter Zunino's team controlled 57% of possession, completed 80% of their passes (compared to Unión's 71%), and generated 16 total shots to the visitors' 10. With 102 attacks and 49 dangerous attacks to Unión's 36, the hosts clearly set the tempo, though they were not always clinical when it mattered most.

The match's opening goal arrived somewhat fortuitously for Platense in the 24th minute, when an Unión Santa Fe own goal handed the hosts the lead. Rather than consolidating, Platense's first half was disrupted by a flurry of disciplinary issues in stoppage time — Leonardo Matías Heredia was booked for simulation and Guido Mainero for time wasting at 45+1', with a VAR review also involving Heredia at the 45-minute mark. It was a needlessly turbulent close to the opening period.

Unión showed resilience after the break. Zunino's counterpart Leonardo Madelón made effective use of his bench, introducing fresh legs at the hour mark — with Santino Vera among those brought on — and the changes paid dividends. Ludueña, who had already been cautioned in the 47th minute, made amends emphatically in the 72nd minute, converting a header assisted by Julián Palacios to level proceedings at 1–1. It was a clinical set-piece execution that punished Platense's defensive lapse.

Platense's response was measured. Zunino turned to his own substitutes, introducing Gonzalo Lencina and Bautista Merlini around the 80th minute. Merlini wasted little time making his mark, firing home with his left foot in the 87th minute to restore Platense's lead and seemingly seal all three points. However, a VAR review involving Gonzalo Lencina at the 90th minute — and another involving Nicolás Federico López Alonso — complicated proceedings in a tense finale. Unión managed to salvage a point deep in stoppage time, completing the 2–2 scoreline. Platense's 6 corners and 8 key passes reflected genuine attacking intent, but an inability to close out the match will be a frustration for the home side.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match forecast projected a 0–0 draw, with Draw assessed at 34.5% probability — ultimately the correct outcome in terms of result, even if the match delivered far more attacking action than anticipated. A low-confidence forecast of 54/100 acknowledged genuine uncertainty across all three outcomes, and the prediction landing correctly on the draw outcome reflects how evenly matched these two sides were on the night. The goals and late drama were beyond the model's expectation, but the competitive balance between the teams was well captured.

Key Takeaways

• Platense dominated possession and volume but were unable to hold their lead when it mattered most.
• Juan Ludueña's header was the defining contribution from Unión's perspective, rewarding Madelón's tactical adjustments.
• Bautista Merlini impressed off the bench, scoring within minutes of his introduction — a boost for Platense's attacking options.
• Both sides now carry a share of the points, though Platense will feel the draw was a missed opportunity given their statistical superiority throughout.