A home draw against Olimpo was not the ideal preparation for River Plate ahead of what is a huge 10 days for the club. Ramiro Funes Mori had a huge role in both goals after his towering header had given River a first half lead but his atrocious attempted clearance allowed Miguel Borja to fire Olimpo level. Marcelo Gallardo’s side remain top with the point but face Boca Juniors on Thursday in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana Semi Final before a colossal clash with Racing in Avellaneda.
Boca Juniors were able to focus far more on Thursday’s match and so took the opportunity to rest a few expected starters in their match with Arsenal in Sarandí. Brahain Alemán’s close range volley put the home side in front but a minute later, Boca were level when centre back, Mariano Echeverría found himself forward and smashed the equaliser into the roof of the net. Arsenal remain unbeaten at home while Boca move on to the biggest match of their season.
Earlier, Newell’s Old Boys picked back-to-back victories for the first time since round 4 with a 2-1 victory over Tigre in Victoria. Maxi Rodríguez, linked with a move to Mexican club Club América, fired Newell’s in front and although Joaquin Arzura equalised shortly after, Víctor López poked the visitors back into the lead following a corner from the right. It was a well earned 3 points for Newell’s given that Milton Casco was sent off with over 35 minutes remaining but they held firm to inflict a fourth defeat in six for Tigre.
Earlier in Mendoza, Godoy Cruz managed to concede only one for the first time since round 6 but in spite of this new found solidity (ahem) they could not earn maximum points against Estudiantes. Leandro Desábato’s late header cancelled out José Fernández’s early strike to give the sides a share of the spoils.
golazo argentino 