Argentina Primera División roundup: Independiente continue impressive away record, River ease past Temperley and Quilmes lose again.
Friday, May 5
We started this week off with San Martin vs Quilmes. Quilmes were looking to build on their win from last week and almost got a point away from home. A 94th-minute goal from Joaquin Molina gave San Martin all three points. Another disappointing defeat for Quilmes, who have now lost 13 out of their last 15 matches.
Over in Cordoba, Tigre got a surprise win away at Talleres. Two quick goals were enough for them as Talleres could only score once.
Saturday, May 6
José Sand’s brace gave Lanus a 2-0 win away to Patronato and Racing Club got back to winning ways at home to Gimnasia L.P. Lautaro Martinez has been in great form recently and scored the only goal of the game. The youngster will join the Argentina U20’s squad for the World Cup in South Korea. Big blow for Racing!
Rafaela won 3-0 at home against Union de Santa Fe and River Plate eased past Temperley. River scored 4 goals, including a brace from Lucas Alario. Sebastian Driussi got himself on the scoresheet as well and Uruguayan Camilo Mayada scored an absolute beauty to finish the game off. Final score 4-1.
The biggest game of the weekend took place in La Plata, as Boca Juniors were looking to stop Estudiantes from closing the gap between them. Boca Juniors have lost only twice all season and that didn’t change on Saturday. It was a tight game in La Plata with not too much action in front of goal. No goals were scored as it finished 0-0.
Sunday, May 7
Aldosivi weren’t able to turn their bad form around as they were beaten at home by Huracan. A 3-0 loss means Aldosivi have now lost 6 games in a row. Defensa y Justicia played a bore draw with Godoy Cruz. Godoy Cruz won’t be too disappointed with this result as they played midweek against Libertad from Paraguay. A 1-1 draw midweek meant Godoy Cruz surprisingly qualified for the knockout stages in the Copa Libertadores.
Arsenal de Sarandi’s game against Olimpo got abandoned after heavy rain. The remaining 45 minutes will be played later this week.
San Lorenzo continued their run of form with a 2-1 at home to Rosario Central. Penalty king Nestor Ortigoza scored a delicate chip from the spot and defender Matias Caruzzo doubled San Lorenzo’s lead in the second half. Colombian forward Theo Gutierrez got one back for Central but it wasn’t enough. El Ciclón got an impressive win midweek on a synthetic pitch when they played Atletico PR for the Copa Libertadores. It looks like Diego Aguirre has turned their form around just in time as they can still get out of their group, which was looking unlikely before.
Ignacio Scocco scored a goal on his 200th appearance for Newell’s but couldn’t prevent them from losing. Independiente, who seem to be better away from home, got a 4-2 win in Rosario. Emanuel Gigliotti’s brace proved to be vital as Independiente secured their 4th consecutive away victory. Newell’s will be furious with themselves, as they missed an opportunity to close the gap with league leaders Boca Juniors. Boca Juniors have a 4-point lead now.
We ended Sunday with a draw in Santa Fe as Colon drew 2-2 with Atletico Tucuman. Colon haven’t lost a game in 12 matches now, winning 7 of them.
Monday, May 8
There were still two games to be played on Monday. Banfield weren’t great but got the job done as they beat Sarmiento 2-0 at home. Dario Cvitanich scored a brace from the spot. Belgrano got back to winning ways away from home as they beat Velez Sarzfield 1-2. Belgrano defender Christian Lema opened the scoring for Belgrano but got sent off later on.
Clasico Weekend
Next weekend is the ‘Clasico Weekend‘ in Argentina. Every team plays their big derby! That includes Boca Juniors v River Plate, Independiente v Racing Club, Rosario Central v Newell’s and Huracan v San Lorenzo! Should be an exciting weekend with plenty of action. Make sure you don’t miss it in next week’s round-up!