Instituto's season ended on December 14, 2024, with a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Godoy Cruz at the Monumental Stadium in Alta Córdoba. The encounter was part of the final round of the Liga Profesional, and fans had high hopes for their team to finish on a strong note, but the outcome was far from satisfying.
The match kicked off with Instituto taking the early lead. Facundo Suárez found the net at the 12-minute mark, delivering an impressive goal after receiving a superb pass from Gastón Lodico. Although the goal was initially disallowed for offside, it was later confirmed by VAR, giving Instituto the momentum they sought.
Just four minutes later, Godoy Cruz displayed resilience. Mateo Mendoza equalized for the visitors with a well-placed header from near the goal, re-establishing parity at 1-1. The game had quickly shifted pace, with both teams creating scoring opportunities but unable to add to their tally before halftime.
Going back to the second half, the intensity increased. Godoy Cruz was awarded a penalty kick at the 56-minute mark when Gastón Lodico fouled Santino Andino inside the box. Salomón Rodríguez stepped up to take the penalty, but Instituto's goalkeeper Manuel Roffo made a brilliant save, keeping the score level.
Despite the reprieve, Instituto's joy was short-lived. A defensive lapse allowed Rodríguez another chance just moments later. Taking advantage of the mistake from Lautaro Carrera, Rodríguez netted his goal to put Godoy Cruz up 2-1. Fans were left stunned as the momentum shifted back to Godoy Cruz.
With only five minutes remaining, former Instituto player Martín Pino capped off the match with another goal for Godoy Cruz, sealing the game at 3-1. Pino’s strike came from a swift counterattack and demonstrated Godoy Cruz's dominance as the game wore on.
This defeat meant Instituto finished the Liga Profesional with only 36 points, placing them 12th overall. The team, managed by Daniel Jiménez and Bruno Martelotto, ended the season with mixed feelings, having aimed for more but realizing their aspirations had evaporated.
Godoy Cruz, on the other side, finished the season slightly higher at 15th place with 35 points. Their campaign did not meet the expectations of their supporters; nonetheless, they secured their participation in the Copa Sudamericana due to their performance through the tournament.
Reflecting on the season, Instituto had hoped for qualifying spots for international competitions but fell short due to ineffective league results, particularly as the season closed. They now face the task of rebuilding and reassessing for the 2025 season.
After the match, the players began to think about their futures as many contracts are set to expire. Instituto management is expected to negotiate with players like Facundo Suárez and aim to retain key talents as they prepare for next season.
While fans hoped for celebrations to close out the year, this season's finale rather felt like missed opportunities. Instituto will now have to regroup, return to training with their new manager, Pedro Troglio, and find strategies for improvement upon returning to competition.
Meanwhile, Godoy Cruz’s victory can be seen as closure on what turned out to be a challenging season, but one where they managed to find success against Instituto, also their rivals. With eyes set on future tournaments, both clubs now must navigate their paths and set goals for the upcoming season.
