Inspirational Sánchez Miño keeps Boca as único puntero

Tigre 2–2 Colon
All Boys 0–1 Argentinos Jnrs
Godoy Cruz 1–0 San Martin
Racing 0–1 Estudiantes
Boca 2–1 Independiente
Arsenal 0–2 Belgrano
Newell’s 1–0 San Lorenzo
Velez 2–0 River
Union 0–0 Rafaela
Quilmes 0–0 Lanus

In the first game of the week, the honours were even at the Estadio José Dellagiovanna as Tigre and Colon shared the points in a 2-2 draw.  Ezequiel Maggiolo put Tigre ahead with a fine downward header from Gaston Diaz’s cross but Lucas Mugni, showing why he has been called up to the national team for the domestic-based games versus Brazil, scored a fine solo effort to level the tie.  A totally unmarked Ruben Ramirez capped off a nice team move to thump in a header and put Colon in front but, after good work by Matias Perez Garcia to rob a dawdling Ronald Raldes, Martin Galmarini stormed in at the back post to equalise.  After a promising start Colon have stumbled of late while Tigre earned their fourth consecutive draw but remain winless

Argentinos Juniors beat local rivals All Boys 1-0 to give them a third win in four.  New Ecuadorian signing Juan Luis Anangono came off the bench to win the game late on in his first Primera division appearance.

In the battle of the wine producing regions, Godoy Cruz came out on top of the Cuyo derby with a 1-0 win over San Martin de San Juan.  In a swift counter-attack David Ramirez collected the ball on the halfway line and was afforded far too much space by the San Juan defence as he drove forward unopposed before unleashing a powerful out-swinging effort from 25 yards which flew into the bottom corner for his third of the season.
Racing stumbled again as Estudiantes were able to claim all three points in Saturday’s late fixture.  Maxi Nuñez capitalised on some poor defending to stab home from close range for the only goal of the game as the students consigned the academy to a second loss on the bounce.

In a game that has often produced plenty of goals in recent history, it was Boca who emerged victorious from the latest clasico against Independiente.   It took 22 minutes for a bit of magic from Osmar Ferreyra to spark the game into life.  Ferreyra collected the ball wide left, nutmegged Emiliano Albin, before skipping past Rolando Schiavi and his cut back hit Matias Caruzzo to trickle in for an own goal.  Boca responded quickly through a thumping header from Santiago Silva, thanks to a delicious cross from Sanchez Mino, to level the tie. And it was Sanchez Mino again shortly after the half time break who settled the game.  The starlet robbed Hernan Fredes on the halfway line and strode forward to fire in a shot from the edge of the area that fizzed past Hilario Navarro. The win ensures Boca stay top, while Independiente’s relegation worries continue.

Two injury time goals, one in each half, gave Belgrano their second away win of the season. Young midfielder Lucas Pittinari struck in first half injury time with a nice left footed drive and, with Arsenal pushing for an equaliser, Cesar ‘Picante’ Pereyra had all the time in the world to tee up Jorge Velázquez for the coup de grace.  Belgrano’s second win on the trot sees them leapfrog reigning champions Arsenal.

Newell’s maintained their title push but left it late to earn a deserved win against San Lorenzo.  Maxi Rodriguez had hit the bar in the first half and Ignacio Scocco missed a couple of guilt-edge chances but, undeterred by his profligacy, 10minutes from time man of the moment Scocco grabbed the winner.  Newell’s were awarded a slightly harsh penalty after a handball and Scocco stepped up to tuck it home for his fifth of the season. ‘Keeper Nahuel Guzman almost gifted San Lorenzo an equaliser in the dying moments of the game, his indecisive clearance cannoning off Julio Furch and almost into the goal.  An incensed Ricardo Caruso Lombardi over zealously remonstrated with the officials after the game but Newell’s, who go second, were worthy winners.

Velez downed River by two goals to nil and moved third in the league.  Lucas Pratto got the first, scoring at the second attempt following a flowing Velez move.  Ramiro Funes Mori was sent off for River on the hour mark and El Fortin had the game all but wrapped up … minutes later.  Facundo Ferreyra’s headed attempted was saved by ex-Velez custodian Marcelo Barovero but the youngster showed great composure to then square the rebound to Ivan Bella who headed in at the far post.  Emiliano Papa sent off for Velez to make it 10 men each but River had no response. The loss means River are now winless in 4 games.

Union and Rafaela played out a goalless draw on Monday night.  Although Union still sit bottom of the table, their second point of the season and a first clean sheet will give them some cause for hope.

In the final game of the round and yet another local derby, there was a second goalless draw on Monday night.  In a hard fought battle, neither Quilmes nor Lanus could emerge from the clasico del Sur. Quilmes felt they should have had a penalty and Tripodi had to produce a great save to keep out Mauricio Pereyra.  The draw sees both sides remain mid table.

TOM ROBINSON

@TomRobbo89