FLORENCIO VARELA, Argentina (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of pregame projections, Huracán delivered a commanding 3-1 victory over Defensa y Justicia on Monday in a Primera Nacional match at Estadio Norberto Tito Tomaghello.

The result defied the overwhelming odds set by statistical analysts, who had heavily favored the home side. Interstat’s ELO system had given Defensa y Justicia an 85.80 percent probability of winning, while its game simulator projected a 2-1 victory for the hosts. Instead, Huracán’s substitutes provided a decisive spark, powering the visiting side to a season-opening triumph.

The match’s trajectory shifted dramatically just after the halftime whistle, turning on a pivotal red card shown to Defensa y Justicia’s Alexis Soto in the 53rd minute. Soto’s dismissal for a serious foul left his team to play the final 37 minutes plus stoppage time with only 10 men, a deficit from which they could not recover.

Huracán had already seized the initiative before the sending-off. The visitors opened the scoring in the 19th minute through striker Luciano Giménez, who came off the bench to make an immediate impact. Defensa y Justicia managed to level the match before the break, with midfielder Abiel Osorio finding the net in the 47th minute to momentarily restore hope for the home supporters.

Any momentum from that equalizer was extinguished six minutes into the second half with Soto’s exit. Huracán patiently capitalized on its numerical advantage, retaking the lead for good in the 72nd minute. Substitute Leandro Lescano scored the go-ahead goal, with the assist credited to fellow substitute Erik Ramírez.

The insurance goal arrived 10 minutes later, sealing the victory for the visitors. Another substitute, Matko Miljevic, put his name on the scoresheet in the 82nd minute to complete the 3-1 scoreline. The assist on the final goal was provided by César Ibáñez, who also entered the match as a substitute.

The match was a physical, stop-start affair, reflected in the five yellow cards issued by the officiating crew. Ibáñez was the first player booked, receiving a caution in the 33rd minute. He was followed by Huracán’s Benjamín Schamine in first-half stoppage time. Defensa y Justicia’s Esteban Lucero was shown a yellow in the 55th minute, while Huracán’s Ezequiel Cannavo and Erik Ramírez were booked in the 77th and fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, respectively.

With the win, Huracán begins its campaign in the Argentine second division with a perfect record of one win and zero losses. The team’s overall record across all competitions also stands at one win and zero losses. The loss leaves Defensa y Justicia with an 0-1 record to start its Primera Nacional season, mirroring its overall record for the new campaign.

The performance underscored the depth of Huracán’s squad, with all three goals and two assists coming from players who began the match on the bench. This collective effort from the substitutes proved to be the defining factor, allowing Huracán to overcome a significant statistical disadvantage and secure a crucial three points on the road. The result immediately establishes Huracán as a team to watch in the early stages of the Primera Nacional season.