With a goal from the tournament’s top scorer, Julián Álvarez, River Plate defeated Platense 1-0 away from home for the 21st round of the Argentine Soccer Professional League. Álvarez, the exclusive figure of the 2021 championship, scored in the nine minute mark.
With this victory, River extended its advantage to nine points over Talleres, its shooting guard. Marcelo Gallardo’s team could celebrate the championship on the next date when they host Racing at the Monumental next Thursday.
The last defeat of the millionaires had been on the date five by 2-1 against Godoy Cruz as visitors.
The riverplatenses established differences in the beginning. After a great pass from Enzo Fernández, Álvarez defined a classy crusader. With this goal, the millionaire forward has 16 goals and is the top scorer of the championship.
The squid went on the attack, but the best plays were made by the visitors. At 38, Agustín Palavecino dodged four rivals, defined with left foot and cleared goalkeeper Luis Ojeda.
Enzo Pérez, a key player in Gallardo’s team, dislocated his left elbow at 58 and will be out of court for several weeks.
Braian Romero was able to extend for the visit, but his shot was controlled by Ojeda at 73.
“A very fought match, very locked. Our goal is to get this championship. We are very close, ”said Franco Armani.
Colón, the last Argentine champion, beat Racing 2-1 in Avellaneda. The racinguistas opened the scoring with a free kick by Carlos Alcaraz (2 ′). Cristian Ferreira also matched a set ball (21 ′). Lucas Beltrán scored the Sabalera winning goal by taking advantage of racinguistas defensive errors (53 ′). Leonardo Burián contained a penalty to Lisandro López with the match 1-1 (38 ′).
Bottom line Arsenal de Sarandí beat Newell’s Old Boys 3-1.
On Saturday, Boca Juniors beat Sarmiento 2-0 in La Bombonera full of xeneizes fans.
Other results: Union 2, Defense and Justice 3; Board 3, Lanús 2; Banfield 0, Aldosivi 2 (Thursday); Workshops 1, Vélez Sarsfield 1; Students 4, Hurricane 1; Argentinos Juniors 0, Godoy Cruz 0; San Lorenzo 0, Gimnasia de La Plata 1 (Friday); Rosario Central 3, Atlético Tucumán 1; Central Córdoba 1, Independiente 0 (Saturday).
Positions: River 49 points; Workshops 40; Defense 37; Mouth 36; Vélez, Lanús, Colón 35; Students 32; Independent, Gymnastics 31; Hurricane 29; Godoy Cruz, Rosario Central 27; Racing, Argentinos 26; Union 25; Aldosivi 24; Platense, Sarmiento, Newell’s, Patronato 23; Banfield, Atlético Tucumán 21; Central Córdoba, San Lorenzo 20; Arsenal 19.
Next date (between next Tuesday and Thursday): Gimnasia-Talleres, Huracán-Patronato, Aldosivi-San Lorenzo, Vélez-Argentinos, Godoy Cruz-Estudiantes, Newell’s-Central Córdoba, Sarmiento-Banfield, Atlético Tucumán-Defensa, Independiente- Boca, Arsenal-Unión, Lanús-Platense, Colón-Rosario Central, River-Racing. AP