Argentine Superliga round 22: Godoy Cruz humiliate San Lorenzo, excelling goalkeepers and a controversial defeat for Estudiantes

Friday

Tigre earned a well-deserved victory over Gimnasia, who’ve been a little out of form as of late. The hosts managed to score twice but it could have been a lot more if it wasn’t for Gimnasia’s goalie Arias. An important victory for Tigre who’ll look to avoid the drop next year. The remainder of the season is however still very important for them. Every point counts due to Argentine’s promedios, where relegation is decided via the average points of the last 3 seasons. Overall a good result for Tigre. Tigre 2 x 0 Gimnasia.

Argentinos jrs. secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Union and climbed all the way up to 8th. Lucas Barrios secured all three points in injury-time with his second of the game. Another great result for El Bicho, who’ve now won 3 games in a row and may just be an outsider for a Copa Libertadores ticket. Argentinos jrs. 3 x 1 Union de Santa Fe.

Saturday

The first game on Saturday saw Rosario Central edging a tough Belgrano side. The Gigante de Arroyito was rocking when Zampedri lifted Central’s lead to 2-0 after Cabezas had already put the hosts in front from a corner. The visitors pushed for a goal in the second half and eventually got one. Cristian Lema scored late on but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal. Central are now level with Belgrano as they both sit on 31 points. Rosario Central 2 x 1 Belgrano.

Temperley and Lanus shared the points after Temperley managed to level the score late in injury time. Fernando Brandan the scorer of the controversial penalty. There were plenty of goals before the late controversy though. It was the same Brandan who opened the scoring for Temperley. Bruno Vides equalized from the spot shortly before halftime and Lautaro Acosta completed Lanus’ comeback before the aforementioned Brandan levelled the score late on. This draw means Temperley aren’t mathematically relegated but only time separates them from the Primera B. Temperley 2 x 2 Lanus.

Colon faced Velez in Santa Fe but the game was abandoned after 32 minutes. One of the Colon barra’s threw firecrackers on the pitch…twice. The remaining 68 minutes are supposed to be played at a later date.

Banfield secured a comfortable victory over a lacklustre Olimpo side. The hosts had to deal with the absence of their top scorer Cvitanich but 17 y.o. Julián Carranza proved to be a worthy replacement. The youngster scored Banfield’s third after goals from both Datolo and Ortiz. Copa Sudamericana qualification is still in Banfield’s reach but they’ll have to string a few good performances together. Banfield 3 x 0 Olimpo.

Boca Juniors were surprised in the Bombonera by Defensa y Justicia, who just edged the Xeneize in a shock win. The visitors played with bravery, which ultimately paid off. Boca had plenty of chances but so did Defensa. The score was however still level at the break: An early opener from Marquez was eventually nullified by an own goal from Gissi. A horrible mistake from Ajax-target Lisandro Magallan then gave Fernando Marquez a golden chance to secure all three points. The 30-year old attacker made no mistake and scored his second of the game. A poor result for Boca who could see their gap drop to 5 points, depending on the San Lorenzo game. Boca Juniors 1 x 2 Defensa y Justicia.

Sunday

Boca fans must have woken up with a great feeling as San Lorenzo got absolutely trashed by Godoy Cruz, who seem unstoppable at the moment. It was supposed to be an exciting early kickoff (11 am) between two sides high up the table. San Lorenzo, as said, had the chance to close the gap with Boca to 5 points. Godoy Cruz, however, had other plans. An own goal from Caruzzo initiated an absolutely horrible game from San Lorenzo, who clearly hadn’t woken up yet. Goals from Cardona, Abecasis and El Morro Garcia saw Godoy Cruz leading 0-4 at the break! Garcia added a 5th in the second half to complete San Lorenzo’s humiliation. The Mendoza-based side are now in 2nd themselves but the gap with Boca seems too difficult to overcome. They’ve also lost just once in their last 11 games (8W 2D 1L). San Lorenzo 0 x 5 Godoy Cruz.

Huracan narrowly beat San Martin away from home in a somewhat stolen victory. An early goal from Silva the difference. San Martin were the dominant side but failed to put any of their chances away. One of the reasons could be the absence of Claudio Spinelli, who had been in excellent form prior to this game. San Martin 0 x 1 Huracan.

Newell’s rescued a point late on in Tucumán. The visitors have been a bit ‘hit and miss’ so far under their new manager and will certainly welcome a late point against a tricky Tucumán side. Club hero La Pulga Rodriguez was one of the better players on Tucumáns side, assisting their first goal. Tucumán 1 x 1 Newell’s.

Talleres were beaten by Independiente totally against the run of play. The hosts were speechless after the first half. They were completely dominant and would have been in front if it wasn’t for Martin Campaña. The Uruguayan goalie showed his class multiple times throughout the game. Emanuel Gigliotti secured El Rojo’s victory late on with a superb curled shot which ended up in the top right corner. It was Independiente’s second after Veron opened the scoring in the first half. A good victory for Ariel Holan’s Independiente while Talleres will feel they should have won this game. Talleres 0 x 2 Independiente.

The same pattern took place in Avellaneda, where Racing hosted River Plate in the Cilindro. Racing were dominant but found themselves 0-1 down with just 13 minutes to go as Rafael Santos Borré rounded Franco Armani. Exequiel Palacios then secured River’s victory late on. The main reason Racing didn’t score on Sunday evening was Franco Armani. The veteran Argentine goalie joined from Atletico Nacional earlier and should be on the plane to Russia. His performances have at least warranted a place in Argentina’s squad. With Sampaoli in attendance, it will be tough for him to keep ignoring his stellar performances. Racing Club 0 x 2 Franco Armani.

Monday

Arsenal are already down but fought well and earned a point against Patronato. The hosts opened the scoring via Gabriel Alanis but Garrido levelled the score with 20 minutes to go. It was a game with a lack of quality but the hosts will aim to leave the Superliga on a high. Arsenal 1 x 1 Patronato.

Estudiantes were robbed in a controversial 0-2 loss against Chacarita. Chacarita were awarded one of the most controversial penalties of the year after just 15 minutes. The ball went behind for a goal-kick but the play went on despite the ball clearly passing the line. Chacarita’s following shot was blocked in the penalty area but Nestor Pitana awarded a spot-kick, despite the ball hitting his chest. Chacarita’s second of the night may have been even more controversial. Rodriguez made a clear foul before playing in Menéndez, who was offside. Menéndez, however, made no mistakes and secured a somewhat surprising victory for the visitors. Estudiantes 0 x 2 Chacarita.