Argentina Primera Divisi贸n round-up week 26: Boca Juniors and River plate both drop points, Banfield move to 4th position
Friday, May 26
We started round 26 off in Mar del Plata as Aldosivi were hosting Independiente. Independiente, who have been on fire as of late, struggled during the game. Sanchez Mino got a yellow card in the 10th(!) minute after he took too long to take the corner. Pretty hilarious to see but it was one of the highlights in a fairly dull game. Independiente should have won here but Aldosivi were able to keep a clean sheet. A bore 0-0 draw!
Saturday, May 27
Colon 1-2 Gimnasia
Gimnasia got a somewhat surprising win in Santa Fe as they beat Colon 1-2. Gimnasia were in terrible form coming into this game but a brace from striker Nicol茫s Ib谩nez proved to be the difference.
Banfield 3-1 Temperley
Banfield got a fairly comfortable victory over Temperley. They moved up to 4th place after their 3-1 win, could they be 聽dark horses for a Copa Libertadores spot?
Newell’s 3-2 Olimpo
Newell鈥檚 just edged past Olimpo in a 3-2 win. Newell鈥檚 looked quite comfortable as they were 3-1 up but Nicolas Pantaleone made it two for Olimpo. Newell鈥檚 were able to defend their lead in the last 20 minutes and are now sitting in 3rd.
Huracan 1-1 Boca Juniors
Boca Juniors had a tricky away game as they were visiting Huracan. Boca were 1-0 up approaching the final whistle but they didn鈥檛 get all three points. Huracan were awarded a penalty late in injury time and Gamarra converted. Huracan and Boca shared the points. Bad news for Boca Juniors as they gave River Plate a chance to overtake them. River also still had two games in hand.
San Martin 4-2 Sarmiento
San Martin were able to see off Sarmiento Junin in a high scoring affair.San Lorenzo weren鈥檛 able to turn around last week鈥檚 disappointment as they lost 2-1 away to Racing Club. Racing still have a slight chance to qualify for the Copa Libertadores, San Lorenzo are in 6th.
Sunday, May 28
Defensa y Justicia 1-0 Tigre
Defensa y Justicia got a narrow win over Tigre. Jorge Sampaoli was watching the game and saw them win 1-0. Defensa y Justicia鈥檚 coach, Sebastian Beccacece, is a good friend of Jorge Sampaoli and rumoured to be his assistant as Sampaoli takes on the job to manage Argentina.
River Plate 0-0 Rosario Central
River Plate had the chance to overtake Boca Juniors but to do so they had to win both of their next two games. Rosario Central were not cooperating with that plan as both sides had to share the points. A 0-0 draw and River will be very upset with themselves here. Boca need to drop points now if River still want a chance to win the title.
Around the grounds
Lanus got a 0-2 win away to Arsenal and in Cordoba, Talleres got a 2-1 win over Atletico Tucuman. The other Cordoba-based side, Belgrano, got a 2-1 win away from home as they were visiting Atletico Rafaela. Patronato got stunned by Godoy Cruz in a 0-3 win for the boys from Mendoza. Patronato have only won 3 out of their last 20 games. Worrying times for them.
Monday, May 29
Estudiantes 2-0 Union
Estudiantes had an important game on Monday as they are still chasing a Copa Libertadores spot. Uruguyan rightback Matias Aguirregaray kept all three points in La Plata with his brace. A 2-0 victory over Santa Fe.
Velez Sarzfield 0- Quilmes聽
The last game of the week wasn鈥檛 that exciting as Quilmes held Velez Sarzfield to a 0-0 draw. Solid point for Quilmes who have been struggling as of late.