Saturday’s and Sunday’s Torneo Final matches brought only a few goals, and no result more surprising than Independiente’s 1-0 away win over champions Vélez Sarsfield; a win made all the more shocking by the fact Independiente played 70 minutes of the game with only ten men. Martín Palermo’s Godoy Cruz got their first win of 2013 against Unión, San Martín were held by Colón away, and on Sunday both Lanús and River Plate won – 3-0 away to Newell’s and 1-0 at home to Estudiantes, respectively – to go joint top of the nascent league table. The goals from those games, and all the others, are right here.
San Lorenzo 0 – 0 Belgrano
This was a result that didn’t suit San Lorenzo at all, though it’ll take a few more good results for Independiente before they really need to start panicking again in the relegation standings.
Godoy Cruz 2 – 1 Unión
Andrés Franzoia gave the relegation-threatened visitors the lead just a minute into this match, and although it took Godoy a while to equalise, equalise they did in the 28th minute through Alexis Castro. Late on, Rodrigo Salinas got the winner to condemn Unión to defeat and leave them now 25 league games without a win.
Colón 1 – 1 San Martín
Jorge Luna put San Martín ahead early on, but like their relegation rivals Unión they were ultimately frustrated here. Emanuel Gigliotti got the equaliser for Colón just before the one hour mark.
Vélez Sarsfield 0 – 1 Independiente
Independiente pulled off the biggest shock of the weekend, and didn’t make it easy for themselves as Julián Velázquez was sent off 21 minutes in to take them down to ten men. All the same, Cristian Tula got a distinctly un-centre back like goal from a corner on the stroke of half time to give them an undeserved lead at the break, and Vélez couldn’t break down the visitors’ resistance in the second half.
Tigre 0 – 0 Boca Juniors
In Sunday’s first match, the scoreline really did say it all. Boca had three shots; none were on target.
Quilmes 2 – 1 All Boys
Quilmes ended a run of eight games without a win in the league thanks to an early goal from Juan Manuel Cobo and a second on the hour from Jacobo Mansilla. Those were enough to ensure that Oscar Ahumada’s 82nd minute stunner was no more than a consolation.
Newell’s Old Boys 0 – 3 Lanús
The weekend’s juiciest match-up (these were the two most impressive sides of the opening round) was a one-sided affair possession wise; Newell’s dominated, with over 60% of the ball. They didn’t manage to do as much with it as their opponents though, as Lanús took the lead 13 minutes in through a fine goal by Silvio Romero. A Marcos Cáceres own goal before half time doubled Lanús’ lead, and although the second half wasn’t quite as impressive, Mario Regueiro finished the win off for the visitors with a penalty early in the second half. An honorable mention for Lanús goalie Agustín Marchesín, who put in a fine performance.
River Plate 1 – 0 Estudiantes
River joined Lanús atop the Torneo Final table (for what that’s worth this early on) and more importantly got another vital win to count towards their relegation standing. David Trézéguet scored the only goal of the game after half an hour, expertly volleying in a fine cross from Ariel Rojas. Estudiantes did nothing to merit a point.
Hasta El Gol Siempre 