Lanús 2, Platense 1—at first glance, a routine home victory in the Argentine Liga Profesional’s second phase. But beneath the surface of Friday night’s rain-soaked clash at the Estadio Ciudad de Lanús, a familiar face reasserted himself as the axis of Lanús’s ambitions: Lautaro Acosta, the 37-year-old captain whose injury-time strike capped an evening that might just prove a pivot point in the Granate’s quest for silverware.

A Match of Margins—and Moments

Lanús entered the night fourth in the table, Platense mid-pack but dangerous, and the opening exchanges underscored the contest’s tension. Platense pressed with verve, forcing the hosts into early defensive adjustments. Yet, it was Lanús who seized the initiative: in the 37th minute, Paraguayan center-back José Canale—up from the back for a corner—rose highest to thunder home a header, sending the home supporters into raptures. The goal was classic Lanús: direct, disciplined, and opportunistic.

With halftime looming, the script demanded a flourish, and it arrived courtesy of Acosta. In the first minute of injury time, a fluid move down the right flank saw Augusto Canelo whip in a teasing cross. Platense’s defense hesitated. Acosta—a player whose timing has made him a Lanús legend—ghosted between defenders and finished with the poise of a man for whom these moments are muscle memory. The 2-0 lead at the interval felt both deserved and precarious.

Platense Pushes Back, but Lanús Holds

The second half saw Platense surge forward, their urgency amplified by substitutions and an increasingly stretched game. Lanús, perhaps wary of overcommitting, dropped deeper, inviting pressure. Platense’s breakthrough would not come easily, but persistence paid off deep into stoppage time. In the 95th minute, substitute Ronaldo Martinez latched onto a loose ball in the box, prodding home to make it 2-1. It was too little, too late—a consolation in every sense.

Acosta’s Enduring Brilliance and Lanús’s Higher Ceiling

On a night when defensive steel and opportunistic finishing were the difference, it was Acosta’s leadership and sense of occasion that elevated Lanús. His goal—the 62nd of his Liga career—was more than a number; it was a reminder that in a league teeming with young prospects, the Granate’s hopes are still intertwined with their captain’s enduring class.

There are those who argue Lanús’s title credentials rest on the next generation. But Friday’s victory suggested otherwise: if Lanús are to sustain a genuine title challenge, it will be Acosta’s guile, not just youthful exuberance, that guides them. At 37, his engine remains undiminished, his influence undiluted. If anything, his knack for decisive moments has only sharpened. The Granate are not merely a team of the future—they are a team of the present, driven by a captain who refuses to cede the stage.

Key Numbers and Tactical Takeaways

• Set pieces remain Lanús’s most potent weapon: Canale’s opener was the 6th set-piece goal of their campaign, a league high.
• Platense’s late goal marked the third time in four matches that Lanús have conceded after the 85th minute—a trend that could haunt them in tighter contests.
• The midfield pairing of Watson and Sánchez controlled proceedings for much of the night, but cracks appeared under Platense’s late surge, hinting at depth concerns should injuries arise.

Implications for the Liga Race

The win consolidates Lanús’s place in the top four, keeping them within striking distance of leaders River Plate and Boca Juniors. More importantly, it extends their unbeaten run at home—now stretching back eleven matches—and sends a message to rivals: at Estadio Ciudad de Lanús, points are pried away, not given.

Platense, meanwhile, remain mired in mid-table uncertainty. Their late rally showed spirit, but the lack of cutting edge in open play left questions about their ability to trouble the league’s elite.

Player Ratings (Selected)

• Lautaro Acosta (Lanús): 8.5—Turned back the clock with a vintage performance, decisive in attack and tireless tracking back.
• José Canale (Lanús): 7.5—Commanding at both ends, his goal set the tone for a disciplined display.
• Ronaldo Martinez (Platense): 7—Injected late energy, rewarded with a poacher’s goal.

Looking Ahead

As the season’s second phase gathers pace, Lanús’s blend of experience and opportunism is proving formidable. For all the academy promise on display, it is the old guard—and especially Acosta—who are ensuring the Granate’s title dreams remain very much alive. The message after Friday’s win is unambiguous: underestimate Lanús’s veterans at your peril.