The 2011 Torneo Apertura ended on Monday with, among other matches, three games which affected the battle for Copa Libertadores 2012 qualification. With Racing, Independiente, Tigre and Godoy Cruz all going into the last round with hopes of qualifying for the continent’s biggest competition, the mendocinos eventually won out, with a 2-0 win away to Atlético Rafaela. Racing lost 1-0 to Vélez Sarsfield and Independiente v Tigre finished 2-1 to the hosts, who had trailed 1-0 at half time. Elsewhere Colón beat Banfield 4-1, Lanús and Newell’s Old Boys drew 2-2, and San Martín beat San Lorenzo 1-0 to leave Leonardo Madelón’s side perilously positioned in the relegation table as we enter the summer break. All the goals from the day are here.
Primera División Torneo Apertura 2011, nineteenth round
Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors (S. Nagüel 63) 1 – 0 Club Olimpo
Club Atlético Belgrano (F. Vázquez 13) 1 – 0 Arsenal Fútbol Club
Club Estudiantes de La Plata (M. Boselli 45+1; C. Cellay 77) 2 – 0 Club Atlético Unión
Club Atlético Boca Juniors (D. Cvitanich 78) 1 – 0 Club Atlético All Boys (J.P. Rodríguez OFF 49)
Club Atlético Colón (F. Higuaín 5; J. Chevanton 45, 70; G. Graciani 51) 4 – 1 Club Atlético Banfield (F. Ferreyra 90)
Club Atlético Lanús (S. Romero 19; M. Regueiro 53) 2 – 2 Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys (D. Mateo 38; P. Pérez 43)
Asociación Mutual Social y Deportiva Atlético de Rafaela 0 – 2 Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (A. Rojas 40; R. Ramírez 72; I. Damonte OFF 73)
Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield (D. Ramírez 54) 1 – 0 Racing Club
Club Atlético Independiente (F. Parra 56; H. Fredes 66) 2 – 1 Club Atlético Tigre (D. Morales 11)
Club Atlético San Martín de San Juan (S. Penco 2) 1 – 0 Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro (N. Ortigoza OFF 87)
Colón 4 – 1 Banfield
Lanús 2 – 2 Newell’s
Rafaela 0 – 2 Godoy Cruz
Vélez 1 – 0 Racing
Independiente 2 – 1 Tigre
San Martín 1 – 0 San Lorenzo
Keep an eye on HEGS during the day on Tuesday; I’m planning to post a team of the Apertura – and being a good River fan, of course, I’ll be trying to make sure it’s not just full of Boca players…
You can follow the latest news from the selección and Argentina’s foreign legion of players, as well as the domestic championship, River Plate’s first second division campaign in over a century and the ever entertaining/tragic/infuriating capers of Julio Grondona & chums direct from Buenos Aires with HEGS on Twitter. If you’ve not signed up yet you can do so here. You can also join the official HEGS Facebook group, to keep up to date with the latest posts on the blog and discuss things with other fans. You’ll find it here. And remember to bookmark Hand Of Pod, our Argentine football podcast, or if you prefer you can subscribe to it on iTunes here.
Hasta El Gol Siempre 
It seems on Hand of Pod, every time you talk positively about my beloved Tigre, they lose. A few weeks ago, you guys preached on how good they were doing and etc. 3 straight loses after that. You guys basically gave them the kiss of death.