River Plate took another step towards the Superliga title on Sunday night after securing victory over Estudiantes in La Plata but Boca Juniors look to ensure any slip-ups will be punished with an earlier win against Godoy Cruz.
Four points from two remaining fixtures is all that Marcelo Gallardo needs for a first league title as a sixth consecutive victory nudged the Millonarios closer.
Aside from a Nahuel Estévez thunderbolt from 35 yards rattling the crossbar during the first half at the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, River always looked in control and when Rafael Santos Borré slipped in his twelfth goal of the season after 21 minutes it was difficult to envisage an Estudiantes comeback.
Matías Suárez made certain just after the hour mark, flicking in Nacho Fernández’s low cross with the help of a Javier Mascherano deflection.
Gallardo’s well-oiled machine keep moving forward and ahead of games against Defensa y Justicia and Atlético Tucumán surely the title is heading to the Monumental.
Estudiantes 0 – 2 River Plate
Only one team can prevent that and Boca Juniors continue to play under new manager Miguel Ángel Russo like a side that are ready to pounce should River falter.
The rejuvenated Carlos Tevez blasted Boca in front from distance after 21 minutes and the second always looked likely to follow.
Boca were made to be patient but after Marcelo Herrera was shown a red card for a challenge on Tevez, Eduardo Salvio wrapped up the victory.
A wonderful solo effort cutting in off the right and a simple finish from close range made it 3-0 and at least forced River’s hand in the title race. Colón and Gimnasia lie ahead for Boca in the knowledge that one River defeat could lead to a title deciding playoff.
Boca Juniors 3 – 0 Godoy Cruz
Earlier in Sarandí, Vélez Sarsfield put their recent goal scoring woes behind them to sweep aside Arsenal.
A quick start saw Ricardo Centurión and Lucas Janson cut in off their respective wings to fire Vélez into a two-goal lead after quarter of an hour and after a correct offside flag denied Maxi Romero a third, the big number nine eventually extended the advantage.
Arsenal’s defending was uncharacteristically poor and caught in possession on the halfway line, Romero drove forward to drill a low shot past Daniel Sappa.
Romero added a fourth just after the hour mark and with it Vélez jumped above Arsenal into seventh. Both clubs firmly in the Copa Sudamericana spots and in the case of Gabriel Heinze’s side still keeping an eye on the top four.
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