After the excitement of the Copa de la Liga which saw Boca Juniors crowned champions through the play-offs, the Liga Profesional returned for Fecha 1. It included Racing continuing their incredible form and Boca grinding out a win, while reigning Liga Profesional champions River could only draw.
With some eyes on Argentina’s win over Italy in the Finalissima and a five-goal masterclass from Lionel Messi against Estonia, the domestic action was just as thrilling as ever.
Racing back to winning ways
Fernando Gagoās Racing were unbeaten during the Copa de la Liga but eventually lost to Boca in the play-off semi-final on penalties. They put that disappointment behind them and began their Liga Professional campaign with a victory over HuracĆ”n.
Globo were down to ten men in the 41st minute as CĆ©sar IbƔƱez was shown a second yellow card. With the man advantage Gagoās side took the lead early in the second half as a TomĆ”s Chancalay cross from a free-kick was missed by everyone and ended up in the back of the net.
The 2-0 victory was sealed on the 90th minute as Enzo Copettiās cross was headed in by Jonathan GĆ³mez, preceded by some calamitous defending by HuracĆ”n.
It was a dominant victory for La Academia who had 63% possession. They should have put the game to bed earlier with their 21 shots with 9 on target.
Copa de la Liga Champions pick up where they left off
The Copa de la Liga Champions started the Liga Profesional with a victory over Arsenal Sarandi.
AgustĆn SĆ”ndez headed in from a Sebastian Villa free-kick to give Boca the lead on the 15th minute. Villa soon doubled their advantage with a fantastic low curling finessed shot past Alejandro Medina.
No look del Changuito Zeballos, definiciĆ³n espectacular de SebastiĆ”n Villa. Boca gana, merecidamente, 2-0. pic.twitter.com/YQl0Gz9k3g
ā Tomiconcinaš (@Tomiconcina1) June 5, 2022
Arsenal halved their deficit when Cristian ColmĆ”n cutback was fired in by Mauro PittĆ³n on the 24th minute.
The second half was goalless and Boca claimed a 2-1 victory at La Bombonera. Los Xeneizes could have won more convincingly if they had been more clinical. They had 17 shots with 8 on target.
In a week in which Boca legend Carlos Tevez retired, his former club could have done with him up front to put away some of their chances. Nevertheless, it was a good start for SebastiĆ”n Battagliaās side.
Defending Champions held by Defensa
River Plate were without JuliĆ”n Ćlvarez and Franco Armani, who were on national team duty in Pamplona, Spain.
Ćlvarez, in particular, was clearly missed, as Los Millonarios played out a 0-0 draw with Defensa y Justicia at the Norberto Tomaghello Stadium.
Defensa had the better of the chances with 5 shots on target. Ezequiel CenturiĆ³n, who was standing in for Armani in goal made a some fine saves to keep out HalcĆ³n out.
Both sides had 9 shots on goal and River were lacking the clinical edge of Ćlvarez and only managed 2 efforts on target.Ā It doesn’t bode well for their attacking options, with Ćlvarez due to join up with Manchester City shortly.
Tigre back to winning ways
Tigre, who lost in the final of the Copa de la Liga to Boca Juniors, began their Liga Profesional campaign with a victory over UniĆ³n de Santa Fe.
UniĆ³n took the lead on the 57th minute as Jonathan Ćlvez turned in Mauro Luna Dialeās cross. Facundo Colidio equalised with a beautiful effort from outside the box into the top corner.
Colidio hizo el mejor gol de la fecha. š„šÆ pic.twitter.com/VDwtiJmFYQ
ā LA VOZ DEL FĆTBOL (@lavozdelfutbol2) June 5, 2022
Colidio then set up Tigreās winner after his run was finished off by Diego Sosa to claim a 2-1 victory.
Despite the win Diego MartĆnezās side in fact had marginally less possession with 47% and less shots with 10 to UniĆ³nās 13. But they were more clinical and the brilliance of Colidio got them over the line.
Return of the āZĆ”rate kidā
Mauro ZƔrate is back in Argentine football with Platense following a spell playing in Brazil. The former Boca, VƩlez and West Ham man made an instant impact scoring the winner against Godoy Cruz on his debut.
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ĀæLindo lo de anoche, no? š¤š¤š¤#VamosCalamaresš¦ pic.twitter.com/tMrRQHS8d8
ā Club AtlĆ©tico Platense (@caplatense) June 5, 2022
The match was tied at 1-1 when ZƔrate was introduced as a substitute in the 60th minute. Then Platense were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute. ZƔrate coolly converted into the bottom corner to give his new side a 2-1 victory.
