A win for Boca in the Superclásico was the big news from Sunday night, but there were other interesting stories across the Liga Profesional after Fecha 18. Atlético Tucumán dropped yet more points, while Gimnasia missed the chance to go top. Velez, who were dumped out of the Copa Libertadores by Flamengo, responded with a 2-2 draw with Arsenal de Sarandi.
Boca win the Superclásico
Boca Juniors beat River Plate 1-0 at La Bombonera, taking them up to fourth in the table.
Agustin Rossi who was the hero when Boca beat River 1-0 at El Monumental in the Copa de la Liga earlier this year made a great save in the first half as he clawed Emanuel Mammana’s header off the line in the first half.
The goal came in the 65th minute when Dario Benedetto headed in from a Juan Edgardo Ramirez corner. Benedetto celebrated wildly by jumping up and climbing the cage around the back of the goal to be with his supporters.
It is always a feisty encounter and Marcos Rojo was sent off late on for a very high foot on Nicolas De La Cruz.
Both sides had an equal record when it came to shots which were 12 with 2 on target. Despite the defeat, Los Millonarios had more possession with 62%. This week River faces Banfield whilst Boca is up against Lanus.
More dropped points for Tucumán
Atletico Tucuman drew 1-1 with San Lorenzo which means they have now taken just 2 points from their last 3 games which whilst they are still top is not the form that will keep them at the top of the table for a long.
Andres Vombergar thought he had given Santo the lead early on but his finish was ruled out by VAR for offside.
Tucuman took the lead in the 44th minute when Ramiro Carrera fired into the top corner from the edge of the box.
However, they were pegged back just two minutes later as Adam Bareiro diverted in Malcom Braida’s cross.
With the chances they had San Lorenzo should have won the game, they had 17 shots with 5 on target to Tucuman’s 5 with 2 hitting the target.
Tucumán plays Talleres Cordoba on Friday and will be hoping for no more slip-ups.
Gimnasia missed a chance to go top
Atlético Tucumán drawing, Gimnasia could have gone top of the division with a win over Newell’s Old Boys.
However, they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa. Oscar Piris scored an own goal in the 30th minute as he sliced his attempted clearance from a Juan Garro cross.
Their lead was then doubled ten minutes later when Djorkaeff Reasco fired in from long range.
Gimnasia did their best to get back into it in the second half with Franco Soldano hitting the post but they could not get past Newell’s goalkeeper Lautaro Morales.
El Lobo had 54% of possession and an equal amount of 5 shots on target. They are now second in the league just one point behind Tucuman.
Gimnasia takes on Arsenal de Sarandi in their next game where they will be looking to get back to winning ways.
Velez rescue point late on
Velez Sarsfield had a disappointing end to their run in the Copa Libertadores as they fell to a 6-1 aggregate defeat to Flamengo during the week. However, a late Miguel Brizuela goal which claimed a 2-2 draw with Arsenal de Sarandi would have cheered their fans up.
Velez took the lead in the 31st minute when Ignacio Gariglio bundled the ball into his own net after his goalkeeper Alejandro Medina failed to hold onto a Valentin Gomez cross.
Arsenal levelled the score ten minutes later as Cristian Chimino fired in the rebound after Francisco Apaolaza’s header was saved by Leonardo Burian.
Los del Viaducto then took the lead, Alexander Diaz slotted his penalty into the bottom corner.
Brizuela in the 87th minute equalised with a strike into the top corner. It was initially ruled out by the linesman for offside but VAR overturned his decision and the goal stood.
El Fortín had 62% of possession but they managed just 4 shots on target to Arsenal’s 8.
