The penultimate round of fixtures in the Liga Profesional saw some surprise results with Boca Juniors and River Plate both suffering defeats. Boca’s loss allowed Racing to take the lead in the division. However, Los Xeneizes do have a game in hand.
Boca slip up, adding pressure
It was looking like Boca Juniors would again do the business when it matters and claim the league title. This was thrown into the air as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Newell’s Old Boys.
Newell’s did not appear to be the likely winners as they were reduced to 10 men when Juan Sebastian Sforza was sent off in the 36th minute.
However, early in the second half Juan Garcia beat Agustin Rossi after a fine run at his near post. Their victory was sealed in the 81st minute as Ramiro Sordo’s free-kick was headed in by Willer Ditta.
It was a very disappointing defeat for Hugo Ibarra’s side who, despite having 74% possession, only landed 2 shots on target: half that of Newell’s.
Boca still have a game against Gimnasia to play before they face Independiente at La Bombonera in their final game of the season.
Racing go top – but for how long?
Racing took advantage of Boca’s slip-up as they beat Lanus 1-0 thanks to a late Enzo Copetti goal.
Así fue el gol de #Copetti, tras el gran pase de #RojaS.
Vamos #Racing Carajo !!!!
📽 @ESPNFutbolArg #Lanumerouno pic.twitter.com/wtXwEfqygp— LaNúmeroUno (@_lanumerouno) October 19, 2022
In the 81st minute, Matias Rojas’ through ball found Copetti who slotted the ball in from a tight angle to win the game.
It was a cagey game where Fernando Gago’s side had 60% possession and just one shot on target which was Copetti’s winner. Lanus had 12 efforts on goal but failed to hit the target with any of them.
Racing face River in a gigantic final game of the season at El Cilindro.
Defeat ruins Gallardo’s farewell
Marcelo Gallardo announced that he is leaving River Plate at the end of this season after eight years in charge of the side. His final home game did not go to plan, as they lost 2-1 to Rosario Central.
Carlos Tevez’s side took the lead in just the 14th minute when Gino Infantino’s shot was parried by Franco Armani into the path of Alejo Veliz for a tap-in.
Their lead was extended early in the second half as Veliz got his second with Lautaro Blanco setting him up for another simple finish.
Matias Suarez got one back for River in the 88th minute, heading in from an Elias Gomez cross but it was too little too late.
It was not the result Gallardo would have wanted in his final home game, especially as it made it now mathematically impossible for them to win the title.
It was a match River should have won given they had 69% possession and 9 shots on target to Rosario Central’s 4.
Gallardo could not hide his emotions as he waved farewell to his supporters in his final game as their manager at El Monumental. He has one final game for River which is away to Racing.
