What a year it has been for Defensa y Justicia and while it is yet to yield silverware, El Halcón progressed to the latter stages of an international competition and will finish 2018 second in the Superliga.
Such is the level of Sebastián Beccacece’s side that the visit of Colón to Florencio Varela brings with it the expectation of three points. That confidence didn’t prove misplaced as Ciro Ruis hammered home a volley from the edge of the box after only three minutes and when 18-year-old Ignacio Aliseda tapped in a second on the half hour mark, there appeared little chance of an upset.
Gastón Togni raced in behind to rifle in a third ten minutes from time to wrap up a dominant display and another deserved victory for the only Superliga side yet to taste defeat this season. The question is just how far Beccacece can take this side?
Defensa y Justicia 3 – 0 Colón
Maxi Meza left little doubt that his time at Independiente had come to an end and while his rumoured move to Monterrey might not yet be confirmed the Argentina midfielder left El Rojo with a goal that earned his side a point away to Godoy Cruz.
Angel González looked like he might hand Meza a losing farewell when the Godoy Cruz forward cut inside to open the scoring in the 72nd minute but the lead didn’t last long. A wonderful free kick from the tightest of angles, looped and bent up and over Roberto Ramírez dropping inside the far post to bring Independiente level and remind supporters just how much a miss Meza will be.
For all of the progress made under Ariel Holan, Independiente have been poor in the transfer market and armed with the money received for Meza it is vital that the club get this window right.
Godoy Cruz 1 – 1 Independiente
Lanús have certainly managed to end what has been a dreadful year on a high as Luis Zubeldía has at least provided some optimism ahead of a potential relegation battle in 2019.
El Granate’s improvement may not come anywhere close to the levels that saw the club win the Primera and reach the Copa Libertadores final but there is an intensity in their play once more and Sebastián Ribas is finally finding the net.
The Uruguayan, so impressive last season in a poor Patronato side, scored twice with headers in either half to cancel out Nahuel Bustos’ early opener for Talleres and hand Lanús a vital three points.
golazo argentino 