Fresh from claiming a place in the Copa Libertadores final, Marcelo Gallardo once more set out a second-string River Plate side for their Primera fixture and once again El Muñeco was not disappointed. Colón were the visitors to the Monumental and with on-loan San Lorenzo midfielder Alan Ruíz pulling the strings they took a first-half lead when Germán Conti thumped the ball past Julio Chiarini from close range. Despite resting several players River would not have wanted to lose ground on Boca in the title race and it took just two minutes after the break to draw level. Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martínez escaped down the left and clipped the ball back for Sebastián Druissi to volley the ball past Jorge Broun and shortly after Javier Saviola crossed from the other side for Fernando Cavenaghi to head River in front. River were now in control and Martínez was proving too much for the Colón defence down the left. With less than ten minutes remaining, the 21-year-old tore down the wing and his cut-back found second-half substitute Tabaré Víudez, who fired in his first for the club. The win puts River momentarily level on points with Boca ahead of one of the biggest matches in the club’s history.
Independiente continued their fine start to the second half of the season, notching up a third-straight victory at home to Atlético Rafaela. Mauricio Pellegrino handed debuts to Hernán Pellerano, Jorge Ortíz and Diego Vera but it was the in-form youngster Martín Benítez, who once again proved to the match winner. The 21-year-old slotted in a first-half opener after a decent passage of play from the home side and although they were made to weather some nervy moments, Benítez eventually added a second. Matías Pisano had seen his initial shot parried by Carlos De Giorgi but Benítez picked up the loose ball before rifling the ball into the net from an acute angle. Four goals in three matches for Benítez surely assures him of a place in the side but with the signing of Cebolla Rodríguez confirmed, Pellegrino now has a pleasant selection headache.
Vélez Sarsfield’s struggles continued on Saturday night and it allowed Olimpo to pick up only a third win of the season. Ezequiel Parnisari headed the visitors in front midway through the second-half and with minutes remaining Juan Sills eluded his marker from a corner to head a second.
golazo argentino 