Defensa y Justicia 1-1 Independiente: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings

How the match unfolded

The opening goal came in the 38th minute: Leandro Fernández for Defensa y Justicia, set up by David Barbona. Independiente levelled at 1-1 in the 44th minute through Maximiliano Meza from the penalty spot.

It was 1-1 at half-time, and nothing changed after the break.

The referee, S. Martínez, showed 6 yellow cards: 1 to Defensa y Justicia and 5 to Independiente.

Defensa y Justicia: J. Vaccari, 4-2-3-1 · Independiente: J. Viera Castro, 4-2-3-1.

Moneyball's prediction against the result

Moneyball's pick on the Match Board was Defensa y Justicia -0.25. On 1-1 it was half wrong.

The estimate's most likely result was a Defensa y Justicia win at 45%; a draw, at 29%, is what happened. Its single most likely score was 1-1 (14%), exactly the final score.

On goals the estimate was close: about 2.3 expected, 2 scored.

Over 2.5 goals had been put at 41%; with 2 goals the under came in, as the estimate leaned.

Both teams to score was 47%; both did, against the estimate.

The pre-match consensus had a Defensa y Justicia win at 42%, the same lean as Moneyball.

Computed before kick-off from both sides' season goals and expected goals as of 2026-11-02, through a Dixon-Coles score model, and left as it was.

Why it went this way

On the day the expected goals were 1.31 for Defensa y Justicia and 1.12 for Independiente.

Defensa y Justicia had 8 shots on target, Independiente 6.

Independiente's goalkeeper made 8 saves.

Defensa y Justicia had 57% of the ball.

Where the two sides stood before this match

Defensa y Justicia came into it with 32 Liga Profesional Argentina matches played, scoring 1.2 and conceding 1.1 a match, with 1.18 expected goals for and 1.14 against, and had won 38% of their matches.

Independiente came into it with 33 Liga Profesional Argentina matches played, scoring 1.2 and conceding 1.2 a match, with 1.10 expected goals for and 1.23 against, and had won 36% of their matches.

Defensa y Justicia vs Independiente: the match in numbers

Team statistics from Sportmonks.

Player ratings and man of the match

Man of the match: Santiago Mele (Independiente), rated 8.0 by Sportmonks.

Defensa y Justicia

• Leandro Fernández 7.9 1 goal
• Matías Borgogno 7.4
• David Barbona 7.3 1 assist
• Aarón Molinas 7.0
• Santiago Sosa 7.0

Independiente

• Santiago Mele 8.0
• Maximiliano Meza 7.5 1 goal
• Chimy Ávila 7.2
• Santiago Arias 7.0
• Facundo Cruz 7.0

The lowest-rated starter was Josias Palais at 5.9. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.

What comes next

• Defensa y Justicia: Defensa y Justicia vs Barracas Central Saturday 21 November 2026 · Liga Profesional Argentina
• Independiente: Argentinos Juniors vs Independiente Saturday 21 November 2026 · Liga Profesional Argentina

Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.

Questions about Defensa y Justicia vs Independiente

What was the score in Defensa y Justicia vs Independiente?

Defensa y Justicia 1-1 Independiente (half-time 1-1), Liga Profesional Argentina, Monday 2 November 2026.

Who scored in Defensa y Justicia vs Independiente?

Leandro Fernández 38', Maximiliano Meza 44'.

Did Moneyball predict Defensa y Justicia vs Independiente correctly?

Moneyball's pick on the Match Board was Defensa y Justicia -0.25. On 1-1 it was half wrong.

Who was man of the match in Defensa y Justicia vs Independiente?

Santiago Mele, rated 8.0 by Sportmonks.

Who refereed Defensa y Justicia vs Independiente?

S. Martínez.