Lucas Pratto’s first half goal was enough to give Velez Sarsfield victory in Mendoza last night against Newell’s Old Boys. They are now crowned the season champions, somewhat ludicrously after a single game, and have sealed a place in the Copa Libertadores 2014 as well as drawing level with the great football club, Alumni with 10 titles (although Alumni never won one after just one game)….

Velez’s pretty dreadful season suddenly looks a lot better following this one victory as the AFA recognise them as league champions and they have all the benefits that go along with that. Undoubtedly Newell’s had less motivation going into this match and they must now refocus their attention and prepare for their Copa Libertadores Semi Final on Tuesday.

The winning goal came after just 8 minutes when Velez broke down the left and the ball was cut back to Lucas Pratto. A quick drop of the shoulder and feint to pull the it back onto his left foot gave him the space needed to rifle his shot past Nahuel Guzman and give Velez the lead. Newell’s came back strongly and just before the half hour mark had the best opportunity. Maxi Rodriguez tussled with Fabian Cubero in the box and the referee awarded a penalty and showed Cubero a second yellow card. However, the league’s top scorer, Ignacio Scocco saw his effort palmed away by Velez keeper, Sebastian Sosa.

With the numerical advantage Newell’s pressed Velez but could not find a way through and so the title went back to Liniers.