Godoy Cruz took another step towards a potentially historic first Primera title with victory over Quilmes on Friday evening and moved three points clear of San Lorenzo at the top of Zone One.

The home side had proved a difficult side to break down in the opening 45 minutes but Fernando Zuqui broke the deadlock immediately after the restart with a precise finish when the ball ricocheted fortuitously into his path. Despite struggling near the foot of the table, Quilmes responded well and Federico Andrada’s delicate finish over Rodrigo Rey brought Los Cerveceros level.

Only a point would certainly have handed the advantage to San Lorenzo so when Alan Alegre was shown a second yellow card, giving the visitors a man advantage, Godoy Cruz sensed an opportunity. Time was running out for the title challengers until with five minutes remaining Jorge Baliño pointed to the spot after a foul on Fernando Zuqui. Quilmes argued over the decision which resulted in Sebastián Romero joining Alegre for an early bath but Santiago García made no mistake with the penalty.

Javier Correa wrapped up the victory over nine-man Quilmes in stoppage time and importantly Godoy Cruz were heading three points clear. All eyes will be on the Nuevo Gasómetro on Saturday afternoon to see if San Lorenzo can keep pace.

Earlier in Santa Fe, Argentinos Juniors produced a listless performance at odds with their current predicament as Los Bichos slumped to a 4-0 defeat against Unión. Nelson Acevedo fired the home side in front midway through the first half and moments before the break, Mauricio Martínez doubled the lead with a near post header.

Raúl Sanzotti would have hoped for a reaction from his side after the break but instead it was Unión who tightened their grip. Claudio Riaño tapped in a third before Víctor Malacorra made it four with a thunderous long-range strike.

The only memorable moment for Argentinos Juniors was the introduction of Juan Román Riquelme’s younger brother, Sebastián who made a ten-minute cameo. However, the 19-year-old maybe playing Nacional B football next season as the defeat leaves Los Bichos bottom of the descenso and praying that other results are in their favour this weekend.

Unión  4 – 0  Argentinos Juniors

Quilmes  3 – 1  Godoy Cruz