Dani Osvaldo is rather enjoying himself at the moment and yesterday in La Bombonera the on-loan striker headed his 100th career goal and, what turned out to be, the winning goal in Boca’s 2-1 victory over Defensa y Justicia. Once again, Boca did just enough to pick up the three points and but for a dubious offside decision saving them, their struggling visitors might just have snatched an unlikely point.
Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side controlled the opening forty-five minutes and Daniel Díaz’s header followed by Osvaldo’s superb goal gave them a deserved lead. However, Defensa y Justicia returned after the break with a new found belief and fifteen minutes later they pulled a goal back. Mariano Barbieri’s wonderful reverse pass found Juan Sánchez Sotolo and he clipped the ball past the onrushing Agustín Orión to set up a lively last thirty minutes.
Both sides had chances but it was the visitors who had the ball in the net when Julío Rodríguez volleyed the ball past Orión only to see the linesman’s flag raised for what can only be described as the most marginal of decisions. Boca held on for all three points to leapfrog Rosario Central at the top but might consider themselves a little fortunate.
Earlier, Banfield picked up a hugely valuable victory over San Martín, which might just buy the under-fire, Matías Almeyda a little more time. When Carlos Bueno headed the visitos in front, Banfield supporters must have feared the worst given how few goals they usually score but it did not take long for Ricardo Noir to fire them level. Before half time, Banfield led with Maurico Cuero tapping in from close range and barely a minute into the second half, Raúl Iberbia’s own goal gifted the hosts an extended lead. Carlos Bueno closed the gap with fifteen minutes remaining but Banfield clung on to an important victory in front of their supporters.
golazo argentino 