This article courtesy of GOLAZO ARGENTINO

With only 4 games now remaining we now know at least one of the sides relegated as Union lost to San Lorenzo and ended their two year stay in the top flight. San Martin and Independiente continue to fight for their survival and Argentinos Juniors have been well and truly dragged into the mix but 4 games may not be enough. At the business end of the table, Lanus suffered their first defeat of the season, as their poor form has finally caught up with them and after both Newell’s and River won they are now a little adrift. Newell’s Old Boy’s thumping win over Boca Juniors kept their title hopes alive but thoughts quickly move to Wednesday’s Copa Libertadores Quarter Final Second Leg with, what will be a very different, Boca side.

COLON  2 -0  ALL BOYS
Colon broke their run of three consecutive defeats, by beating All Boys 2-0. With the game seemingly heading for a drab goal less draw Colon were gifted the opportunity to lead with a controversial penalty, awarded for the feintest of touches, but dispatched with ease by Colon’s leading marksman, Emmanuel Gigliotti. Late on Quilmes had Facundo Quiroga sent off and then in stoppage time, Facundo Caruchet put the result beyond any doubt.

VELEZ SARSFIELD  2–0  QUILMES
Velez Sarsfield‘s victory over Quilmes in Liniers not only saw them back to winning ways after the disappointment of their Libertadores exit and ten games without a win but also ensured Union’s stay in the Primera Division at least for a short while. Now fully fit after a campaign disrupted by injury last season’s top scorer, Facundo Ferreyra scored both goals following on from his late consolation in last week’s defeat to Godoy Cruz and contributes to his record of 16 goals in 16 starts for Velez.

BELGRANO  0–0  INDEPENDIENTE
Ordinarily a point in Cordoba would be a pretty decent result given Belgrano’s home form, as would going 5 games without defeat but this no ordinary time for Independiente. There was not a great deal to report from the game itself as chances were few and far between and any slight sniffs were usually wasted. Independiente still holding some hope and have now only 4 games to save their status in the top flight.

RACING CLUB  1–1  GODOY CRUZ
Both sides battling for qualification to the Copa Sudamericana and it was Racing who will be the happier side after Godoy Cruz only left Avellaneda with a point. Goalkeeper, Sebastian Saja gave Racing the lead form the penalty spot just before half time but Godoy Cruz came back strongly and forced an equaliser just after the hour mark, a fine left footed finish from inside the box by Jose Luis Fernandez (pictured above).

SAN MARTIN  3–1  LANUS
For the first time under manager Guillermo Schelotto, Lanus conceded 3 goals and for the first time were beaten which could signal the end of their title aspirations. Their early season form seems a distant memory now and the misfiring performances of recent weeks, where they have been drawing games finally caught up with them. For San Martin, still deep in the midst of a relegation dogfight this is another valuable victory. They took the lead early when Gaston Caprari was quickest to react to a freekick that was blocked by the wall and he smashed his effort into the roof of the net. Lanus equalised when Fernando Barrientos fired in from range but the day belonged to San Martin. After 70 minutes San Martin were gifted the lead when Agustin Marchesin fumbled a straight-forward take from a high ball, allowing Damian Ledesma to tap in. However, Ledesma was then shown a second yellow card for his celebration and in the space of a minute went from goal scoring hero to red card villian. However, it mattered not as Claudio Riaño put the result beyond doubt with 2 minutes to go.

RIVER PLATE  3–0  ATLETICO RAFAELA
River came out of the traps quickly last night and blew away Atletico Rafaela in 30 minutes. Lionel Vangioni’s fine left footed strike as he cut in from the left and found the top corner from 25 yards gave them the lead after just 7 minutes and it was soon two when Rafaela centre half, Eduardo Dominguez haplessly deflected a driven cross into his own net.   After 30 minutes, Carlos Luna headed in Juan Iturbe’s cross from the right and it was game over. River seem to have found some form at a key stage in the season and midfield anchor, Cristian Ledesma has been central to that. His dominance in the midfield last night is key to River’s possession and the source of their moves and his re-emergence in the side is something that Ramon Diaz should get credit for.

ARSENAL  3–2  TIGRE
Arsenal edged Tigre in a 3-2 thriller with another Golazo recommended youngster proving pivotal. Centre back Lisandro Lopez (pictured above), whose danger at set pieces was highlighted in Golazo’s list (http://golazoargentino.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/players-to-watch-in-the-window/) headed in twice in the first half and despite both goals being cancelled out, first by Federico Santander and then by, Diego Ftacla, Diego Braghieri scored an 84th minute winner to give Arsenal the points.

ESTUDIANTES  0–0  ARGENTINOS JUNIORS
Argentinos Juniors failed to improve their relegation average with a goalless draw against Estudiantes leaving them still in danger of the drop.

SAN LORENZO  4–2  UNION
San Lorenzo finally ended Union‘s spell in the top flight with a 4-2 win. After racing into a two-goal lead through Gonzalo Veron’s brace it looked like Union would be disappearing without so much as a whimper but they roared back to go in level at half time, Andres Franzoia scoring both their goals. The game looked to be heading for a draw but Alan Ruiz, one of San Lorenzo’s youngsters (also tipped for great things by Golazo) fired a late third and in stoppage time, Franco Jara hammered home a fourth.

————-

Click on Peter’s name above to follow him on Twitter