Independiente enjoyed a deserved victory over Fabián Alegre’s dangerous Tigre side and moved up to second, two points behind River, thanks to Juan Martín Lucero’s first half brace and Federico Mancuello’s superb ‘olímpico’. Lucas Pratto earned Vélez Sarsfield only a second win in the last nine matches with a header early in the second half to see off Banfield, who themselves are in desperate need of three points. Godoy Cruz matches of late are a guarantee of goals, and their visit to Rosario to face Newell’s Old Boys did not disappoint. Claudio Aquino fired Los Mendocinos in front midway through the first half before their porous defence allowed Víctor López to head in an equaliser from a corner. A defensive lapse for Newell’s allowed Leandro Fernández a chance although the striker still had plenty to do. With Óscar Ustari stranded, Fernández expertly lobbed the former Sunderland keeper from 40 yards but there was still time for Maxi Rodríguez to snatch a draw in stoppage time. Finally in Bahía Blanca, Olimpo managed to earn a draw against Racing despite falling behind to Gabriel Hauche’s first half goal. Just minutes after the break, Juan Cobo bundled in an equaliser and so it remained leaving Racing in fourth and Olimpo still scrapping for points near the bottom.
golazo argentino 