Liga Profesional: Boca Crowned Champions Thanks to Rivals River

Boca Juniors won the Liga Profesional last night after drawing with Independiente. The result was just about enough, as River Plate defeated Racing. It was a dramatic night of action with both Boca and Racing needing their rivals to do them a favour. Ultimately, River’s win gave Boca the title.

Draw sufficient for Boca (luckily)

After Boca Juniors won their game in hand over Gimnasia during the week, all they had to do was better the result of Racing. They only managed a 2-2 draw, but it got them over the line thanks to River’s win.

Leandro Fernandez scored from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute to give Independiente the lead. However, Boca equalised just two minutes later when Oscar Romero’s cross was flicked into the net by Guillermo Fernandez.

Early in the second half, the substitute Sebastian Villa fired in his free-kick to put Los Xeneizes in front. But they were pegged back in the 81st minute as Nicolas Javier Vallejo headed in from a Juan Cazares corner.

#Villa’s free kick to put #Boca up 2-1!
Via:@CABJGol01 pic.twitter.com/SIkHis5IVu

— Boca in English | Podcast 🏆 (@CABJ_English) October 23, 2022

Boca had a nervous wait for the final score from El Cilindro before they could lift the trophy with their fans at La Bombonera.

It was a fairly even game with Hugo Ibarra’s side edging possession with 53%. Boca also just had more shots on target with 6 to Independiente’s 5. Their unbeaten run towards the end of the season pulled them into the conversation just in time.

River stop Racing, helping their great rivals

With Boca only drawing, it was a cruel evening for Racing as their loss to River Plate denied them the title.

La Academia took the lead in the 56th minute when Matias Rojas smashed in his penalty. But in the 80th minute, Miguel Borja tapped in from a Tomas Pochettino cross to equalise.

In dramatic fashion, Racing were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute. Jonathan Galvan stepped up to take it to put his side ahead and win them the title. The pressure was unfortunately too much, and his effort was comfortably saved by Franco Armani. The ball fell to Nicolas Oroz who fired his rebound effort over. Questions will be asked as to why top scorer Enzo Copetti did not take the decisive kick.

Racing fought their way through a long title fight and have come up dramatically short again. The title was theirs if Jonathan Galván converted this penalty.

HE MISSED IT. At home. An entire fanbase behind them. A monumentally massive choke job.pic.twitter.com/yITG7tx4oU

— Nico Cantor (@Nicocantor1) October 23, 2022

It was to get worse for Fernando Gago’s side, as Borja got his second in the 95th minute with a curled finish into the bottom corner.

A win for Marcelo Gallardo in his final game as River manager but unfortunately the result sealed the title for Boca. Racing end the season in second place, while River finished third.

Racing had less possession with 49%. But it would be in the chances they missed where Gago’s side would be kicking themselves as they had 17 shots with 9 on target to River’s 12 with 6 on target.

It’s a desperately difficult end to the season for Fernando Gago’s Racing, who narrowly missed out on silverware on two separate occasions in 2022.

Aldosivi and Patronato relegated

Despite being already relegated, Aldosivi and Patronato ended their time in the division with mixed fortunes.

Aldosivi suffered a 3-0 defeat to San Lorenzo with Andrés Vombergar scoring twice. Patronato beat Huracan 3-2 thanks to a goal in the 100th minute from Emerson Batalla.

Belgrano have been promoted to the Liga Profesional after winning the Primera Nacional. The second promotion place is to be decided in the Torneo Reducido.