This article courtesy of GOLAZO ARGENTINO

The three leading clubs, Newell’s Old Boys, Lanus and River Plate all failed to take advantage of each other’s slip ups as they recorded draws leaving only 3 points separating them with 5 games to go. At the other end of the table, things also heated up with Independiente’s revival continuing seeing them close the gap on free falling Argentinos Juniors. It is still a big ask for one of the great clubs of South American football but it would appear that they are not going down without a fight….

Arsenal 1 – 0 Racing Club
A second half header from Nicolas Aguirre was enough to give Arsenal a 1-0 won over a limp Racing side that have not won back to back games for 17 rounds and further their own aspirations of Copa Libertadores qualification. After last week’s win over Tigre, Luis Zubeldia would have been hoping to carry some momentum but his side produced a lacklustre and disjointed performance that got exactly what it deserved. There was more intensity in Arsenal’s play and even when Racing introduced Ricardo Centurion to try and add some pace and guile to their attack it produced little. Arsenal’s lead was ever really in danger and the victory takes them up to fourth with the 2014 Libertadores the big prize.

Atletico Rafaela 0 – 2  Estudiantes
Back to back wins for Estudiantes after their disastrous start to the season and their first on the road while Atletico Rafaela must wait at least one more week before their status in the top flight is confirmed. The visitors started the game far better and took an early lead after Duvan Zapata got on the end of a headed flick-on to apply a cool left footed finish. A cagey and somewhat dull second half had to wait until the 89th minute for another goal and it was Estudiantes who claimed it and ensure that they left Santa Fe with all the points. Roman Martinez was the most alert in the box after Guillermo Sara had saved the initial effort.

Godoy Cruz  3 – 1  Velez Sarsfield
A good win for Martin Palermo’s Godoy Cruz moves them closer to the Copa Sudamerica and heaps misery on Velez after the disappointment of their Libertadores exit. They opened the scoring in first half stoppage time when Jose Luis Fernandez cut in from the left and his deflected shot wrong footed Velez keeper, Sebastian Sosa. Just after half time Sebastian Dominguez was adjudged to have blocked the ball with his arm and so Godoy had the opportunity to extend their lead. The chance was gratefully accepted by Gonzalo Castellani, who smashed his penalty straight down the middle. Ten minutes later, Alexis Castro made sure of the result when his powerful, swerving, 30 yard drive was too much for the hapless Sosa. With five minutes remaining Velez awoke from their slumber and pushed hard and despite Facundo ‘Chucky’ Ferreyra pulling one back, it was too late.

Quilmes  1 – 1  Newell’s Old Boys
Newell’s Old Boys will certainly look back on this game ruefully if Lanus can take advantage and return to the top of the table when they play on Monday.  Top goal scorer, Ignacio Scocco’s 10th goal of the season had given Newell’s the lead but later in the first half his missed penalty proved to be the turning point in this game. As it was beginning to look like Newell’s would hold on, Miguel Caneo’s 86th minute strike meant a share of the points.

Boca Juniors  1 – 0  Colon
Not since the opening weekend have Boca won in the league and sadly there were no fans present to witness it in La Bombonera last night. Following the crowd trouble in the super clasico the game was played behind closed doors but Juan Manuel Martinez’s second half header was enough to give them victory over Colon. The league has clearly been sacrificed to focus on the Copa Libertadores and this week Bianchi must prepare his side once again for the quarter final tie with Newell’s. With a place in the semi finals up for grabs perhaps Boca’s season is not lost but with the performances so far it would seem winning the cup is still a long way off.

Independiente 3 – 1 San Martin
Independiente continue to believe that they may yet avoid relegation after yesterday’s convincing 3-1 in Avellaneda over rivals, San Martin. Misfiring Colombian striker, Juan Caidedo finally ended his goal drought, his brace along with Fernando Godoy’s deflected first half volley were enough to give El Rojo the much needed win despite Humberto Osorio’s consolation.

Union 2 – 2  River Plate
Union’s terrible home record stretched to another game despite leading River Plate by two after 34 minutes. Andres Franzoia and then Juan Cavallaro raced Union in front but they were soon pegged back when Funes Mori headed a goal back for River. Union were left to rue a wasted opportunity as a missed penalty before half time meant they took only a one goal lead in to the break. This proved not to be enough as Rodrigo Mora scored late to steal a point for River.

All Boys 0 – 3 San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo chalked up another impressive win this time in Floresta, where they thumped All Boys 3-0. Goals from Ignacio Piatti (2) and Gonzalo Veron were enough for the victory.

Argentinos Juniors  1 – 3  Belgrano
Belgrano’s early Lucas Melano goal was cancelled out by Anibal Metellan’s bundled effort from a corner but the good news for Argentinos stopped there. After half an hour, Fernando Marquez put Belgrano back in front and on the hour mark Martin Dario Zapata put the result beyond doubt. As the fans of Argentinos got restless and voiced their displeasure at their sides toothless performance a set of false teeth were hurled at the dugout, narrowly missing manager, Caruso Lombardi.

Tigre  0 – 0  Lanus
Despite still being unbeaten a seventh draw has seriously dented Lanus’s title challenge. The side out of the top 8 who have failed to score in the most games once again drew a blank as they left Tigre with only a point. That could have been worse had Matias Perez Garcia’s wonderful effort in injury time not come back off the inside of the post. Tigre goalkeeper, Damian Albil thought it was a goal, sadly for Tigre it wasn’t.

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