Rosario Central's dominance at the Gigante de Arroyito went unrewarded as Tigre fought back from behind to secure a 1-1 draw in a tense Liga Profesional encounter that swung dramatically in the closing stages. The hosts, boasting 67 per cent possession and an early goal from Alexis Soto, appeared destined for three points — only for David Romero to level the contest inside 81 minutes, before Jabes Saralegui's 90+6th-minute dismissal left the visitors clinging on.
The first half belonged almost entirely to the home side. Soto's clinical finish — latching onto Carlos Quintana's assist — gave Central a deserved lead, and with Tigre already visibly unsettled by the pace and pressing intensity, the Rosario outfit controlled territory effortlessly. Joaquín Mosqueira's booking on 25 minutes hinted at the defensive frailty that would dog Tigre throughout the opening 45 minutes. Central's 15 total shots to Tigre's measured approach suggested a gulf in quality, yet the visitors' compact shape and disciplined retreats meant the hosts struggled to multiply their advantage.
Tigre emerged from the interval with fresh impetus and, crucially, tactical adjustments. After 46 minutes, Bruno Leyes was introduced to bolster the midfield, and on 52 minutes a second yellow card for Juan Villalba threatened to derail their hopes entirely. Yet rather than capitulate, the Buenos Aires outfit dug deeper. Two substitutions inside 59 minutes — Elías Cabrera and David Romero replacing tactical anchors — signalled a shift towards attacking intent. The gamble paid dividends.
With 81 minutes on the clock, Romero pounced on a loose ball in the Central box to sweep home and level the affair. The goal electrified Tigre's bench and shifted the momentum decisively. Central, whose superior possession had yielded only sporadic clear-cut chances, suddenly found themselves pegged back — and with the Gigante faithful sensing their team's opportunity slipping away.
The closing stages turned chaotic. Rosario Central's hopes of salvaging a win dissipated as fatigue took hold, whilst Tigre's numerical advantage proved illusory when Saralegui received his marching orders for a foul in the 90+6th minute. The red card arrived too late to alter the outcome, but it symbolised a match that neither side could control once Romero's equaliser fell.
Alexis Soto was the standout performer, his 7.9 rating reflecting a composed, clinical display. The Central forward's goal came from a composed finish, and his involvement in the pressing trigger was instrumental in suffocating Tigre's play in the opening period. Carlos Quintana (7.6) supplied the assist and operated as a vital conduit throughout, whilst David Romero's cameo cameo — arriving as a substitute on 59 minutes — proved the decisive intervention, his poacher's instinct levelling a match that Central had dominated territorially but failed to kill off.
Tigre's resilience, despite conceding the early goal and operating with 87 per cent of the ball against them for large spells, drew praise for their resolve. The visitors' 11 corners hinted at their late-game pressure, though Central's defensive organisation — marshalled by Quintana — held firm until Romero's breakthrough. As Marca noted, an unforgettable moment unfolded during proceedings when a dog briefly stole the show — a moment of levity that perhaps reflected the match's unpredictable nature.
The point leaves Central in mid-table contention with their perfect home record now blemished, whilst Tigre maintain their unbeaten run away from home. Central travel to face Libertad in the Copa Libertadores within 48 hours, where their attacking prowess will be tested against stiffer continental opposition. For Tigre, the draw — despite finishing with ten men — represents a creditable return given the sustained pressure they endured, though Jabes Saralegui's needless dismissal leaves them facing a suspension headache in their next Liga Profesional fixture.