Sunday brought the last matches of the 2013 Torneo Final, and the goals scored took the final tally for round 19 up to 30 – the highest of any weekend in the 2012-13 season. San Martín de San Juan lost 3-1 away to River Plate and as a result were relegated; at the same time, Argentinos Juniors beat newly-crowned (and clearly already-celebrating) champions Newell’s Old Boys 1-0 in Rosario, meaning that Boca Juniors needed at least a point away to Godoy Cruz if they were to avoid finishing bottom for the first time in their history. They got a 1-1 draw. All Sunday’s goals are right here.
Newell’s Old Boys 0-1 Argentinos Juniors
Argentinos knew that even a win wouldn’t be enough if San Martín also won away to River Plate, but they had the advantage of playing against a side who’ve spent the last few days celebrating since their title was confirmed on Wednesday, and their mood would have been relaxed by Leonel Vangioni’s early goal for River. Four minutes from time, Pablo Hernández headed in from a corner to put the icing on the cake.
River Plate 3-1 San Martín de San Juan
Left back Vangioni for some reason popped up in an inside right position to hammer in River’s opener, with Carlos Sánchez doubling the lead from an offside position 23 minutes in. Before half time, Gastón Caprari pulled one back for San Martín, but with River goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero imperious in the second half, Juan Manuel Iturbe sprinted away late on to make it 3-1, sealing a very pleasing campaign for River (Lanús’ draw with San Lorenzo later on means River finish second).
Iturbe was the target of a lot of anger from San Martín players at the end (sample quote; ‘I’m going to kick the shit out of him’) for making a gesture he insists was intended to gee up the crowd and enjoy his last few moments as a River player before his loan spell ends and he returns to Porto. Even if he’s telling the truth, it was an unwise move against opponents who were relegated by this defeat.
Vélez Sarsfield 2-1 Atlético Rafaela
Vélez have had a poor Torneo Final but ended with a win. Defeat would have relegated Rafaela had both Argentinos and San Martín managed victories, but they live to fight another day. Ezequiel Rescaldani put Vélez into the lead quarter of an hour in, but Eduardo Domínguez equalised before the break. Rescaldani’s second of the game, eight minutes into the second half, proved decisive.
Apologies for the shots of players and fans arriving before the action gets going here. It was the only HD video I could find that featured all the goals.
Arsenal de Sarandí 4-0 All Boys
Arsenal’s strong home form saw them end a decent championship on a high, with goals from Jorge Ortíz (from a penalty that shouldn’t have been given), Julio Furch, Carlos Carbonero (a golazo) and Martín Rolle.
San Lorenzo 2-2 Lanús
Lanús flew into a 2-0 lead at the break, Silvio Romero giving them the lead with a retaken penalty and Ismael Blanco getting in on the act ten minutes later. San Lorenzo weren’t to be denied, though; Ignacio Piatti and Ángel Correa hit back in the second half.
Godoy Cruz 1-1 Boca Juniors
Martín Palermo hosted his old mentor Carlos Bianchi, and the spoils were shared. Lucas Viatri gave Boca the lead half an hour in, but Gonzalo Castellani scored from the spot right on the stroke of half time, and the second half proved to be a dull affair. Boca avoided finishing bottom by a single point, but the Torneo Final has still been officially the worst 19-game domestic spell in their history. They’ve won just three matches, and finish on 18 points.
Hasta El Gol Siempre 