Unión were made to pay the price for Damián Martínez’s first half red card as Boca Juniors came from behind to score three second half goals to secure a 3-1 win in Santa Fe.
The in-form Franco Fragapane had given Unión the lead from the penalty spot but a reckless off the ball elbow by Martínez, spotted by referee Andrés Merlo, left the home side down to ten and allowed Boca to turn the screw after the break.
Ramón Ábila poked Boca level just after the hour mark and ten minutes later Carlos Tevez volleyed Boca in front as Unión struggled to clear their lines. Substitute Agustín Almendra headed a third in stoppage time to secure the points and while it was another unconvincing display from Boca, third place is looking increasingly like the club’s minimum finish.
Unión 1 – 3 Boca Juniors
Earlier on Friday evening in Bajo Flores, San Lorenzo were looking to secure a first Superliga in twelve but instead of Jorge Almirón celebrating a maiden victory as manager against the league’s lowest scorers, Argentinos Juniors claimed an invaluable 3-2 win.
Full-back Elías Gómez gave the visitors the lead following Claudio Spinelli’s initial shot hitting the woodwork but San Lorenzo were almost immediately level, Nicolás Blandi stabbing in from close range after Andrés Rentería headed on goal.
That equaliser should have seen San Lorenzo push on but instead just after half time Damían Battalini’s deflected effort put Argentinos Juniors back in front and soon after Carlos Quintana nodded the bottom of the table side further ahead.
Things got worse for San Lorenzo with Marcelo Herrera seeing two quick yellow cards and while Román Martínez drilled in a fine goal for the ten men, it was a mere consolation for El Ciclón. Victory saw Argentinos Juniors jump above San Lorenzo at the foot of the Superliga – a cause of great concern at the Nuevo Gasómetro after backing Almirón so heavily during the window.
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