Apertura champions Boca Juniors extend unbeaten record with draw at Arsenal, while Racing Club and Independiente fight for Copa Libertadores berth.
Cristian Chavez rescued Argentine Apertura champions Boca Juniors a 2-2 draw with Arsenal de Sarandi with twenty minutes left in the second half to give Boca the possibility to finish the season unbeaten when they take on All Boys at the Bombonera stadium on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the race for Argentina's fifth and final Copa Libertadores spot is going down to the wire, after Racing Club and Independiente picked up crucial wins midweek. The same could not be said for Godoy Cruz and Tigre however, after defeats reduced both team's chances of qualifying for South America's biggest club competition next year.
For now, Boca, Velez Sarsfield, Arsenal and Lanus have assured themselves of participation in the Copa Libertadores, with the final spot still up for grabs for either of the following clubs: Godoy Cruz (55 points), Racing Club (54 points), Independiente (53 points) and Tigre (52 points).
Racing Club are still in the race for Argentina's final Copa Libertadores spot after edging Atletico Rafaela 1-0 at the Cilindro de Avellaneda stadium on Tuesday.
The only goal of the match arrived in the 49th minute when Colombian striker Teofilo Gutierrez fired home a penalty kick for his sixth goal of the season.
In order to qualify for the Copa Libertadores for the first time since 2003 Racing have to beat Velez Sarsfield in Liniers and pray that Godoy Cruz drop points away to Atletico Rafaela.
Apertura champions Boca Juniors surrendered their lead and then came from behind to force a 2-2 draw with Arsenal de Sarandi at the Julio H. Grondona stadium on Wednesday.
Boca went ahead through midfielder Walter Erviti in the 39th minute, but Guillermo Burdisso drew the hosts level less than a minute into the second half.
In the 54th minute Mauro Obolo put Arsenal ahead, but after inflicting heavy pressure upon the Arsenal goal, Cristian Chavez finally rescued Boca a share of the spoils in the 70th minute.
Boca Juniors will aim to remain unbeaten in the Apertura when they take on All Boys in their final game of the season at the Bombonera stadium on Sunday.
Independiente are also still in the race for Argentina's final Copa Libertadores berth, after edging San Lorenzo 1-0 at the Nuevo Gasometro on Thursday.
Independiente's winning goal arrived in the 67th minute through substitute Martin Benitez.
In order to qualify for South America's biggest club competition for the second successive year, not only do Independiente have to beat Tigre next weekend, but they have to hope that both Godoy Cruz and arch-rivals Racing drop points in the final round of the Apertura.
Tigre missed out on an ideal opportunity to climb into the Copa Libertadores zone after suffering a 3-1 home defeat to Velez Sarsfield on Thursday.
As well as this, the defeat means Tigre are practically assured of relegation to the Argentine second division next season along with Olimpo de Bahia Blanca.
Velez proved too strong for their opponents, with first half goals from David Ramirez and Augusto Fernandez, but while Diego Morales pulled a goal back for Tigre right before the break, Guillermo Franco restored Velez's advantage midway through the second half.
Argentine Apertura - Round 18 Results
December 6
All Boys 1 - 0 Argentinos Juniors
Olimpo 0 - 0 Estudiantes
Racing Club 1 - 0 Atl. Rafaela
Union 0 - 1 Lanus
December 7
Arsenal 2 - 2 Boca Juniors
Godoy Cruz 0 - 1 Colon
December 8
Newell's Old Boys 0 - 0 San Martin San Juan
Banfield 0 - 2 Belgrano
San Lorenzo 0 - 1 Independiente
Tigre 1 - 3 Velez Sarsfield
Meanwhile, the race for Argentina's fifth and final Copa Libertadores spot is going down to the wire, after Racing Club and Independiente picked up crucial wins midweek. The same could not be said for Godoy Cruz and Tigre however, after defeats reduced both team's chances of qualifying for South America's biggest club competition next year.
For now, Boca, Velez Sarsfield, Arsenal and Lanus have assured themselves of participation in the Copa Libertadores, with the final spot still up for grabs for either of the following clubs: Godoy Cruz (55 points), Racing Club (54 points), Independiente (53 points) and Tigre (52 points).
Racing Club are still in the race for Argentina's final Copa Libertadores spot after edging Atletico Rafaela 1-0 at the Cilindro de Avellaneda stadium on Tuesday.
The only goal of the match arrived in the 49th minute when Colombian striker Teofilo Gutierrez fired home a penalty kick for his sixth goal of the season.
In order to qualify for the Copa Libertadores for the first time since 2003 Racing have to beat Velez Sarsfield in Liniers and pray that Godoy Cruz drop points away to Atletico Rafaela.
Apertura champions Boca Juniors surrendered their lead and then came from behind to force a 2-2 draw with Arsenal de Sarandi at the Julio H. Grondona stadium on Wednesday.
Boca went ahead through midfielder Walter Erviti in the 39th minute, but Guillermo Burdisso drew the hosts level less than a minute into the second half.
In the 54th minute Mauro Obolo put Arsenal ahead, but after inflicting heavy pressure upon the Arsenal goal, Cristian Chavez finally rescued Boca a share of the spoils in the 70th minute.
Boca Juniors will aim to remain unbeaten in the Apertura when they take on All Boys in their final game of the season at the Bombonera stadium on Sunday.
Independiente are also still in the race for Argentina's final Copa Libertadores berth, after edging San Lorenzo 1-0 at the Nuevo Gasometro on Thursday.
Independiente's winning goal arrived in the 67th minute through substitute Martin Benitez.
In order to qualify for South America's biggest club competition for the second successive year, not only do Independiente have to beat Tigre next weekend, but they have to hope that both Godoy Cruz and arch-rivals Racing drop points in the final round of the Apertura.
Tigre missed out on an ideal opportunity to climb into the Copa Libertadores zone after suffering a 3-1 home defeat to Velez Sarsfield on Thursday.
As well as this, the defeat means Tigre are practically assured of relegation to the Argentine second division next season along with Olimpo de Bahia Blanca.
Velez proved too strong for their opponents, with first half goals from David Ramirez and Augusto Fernandez, but while Diego Morales pulled a goal back for Tigre right before the break, Guillermo Franco restored Velez's advantage midway through the second half.
Argentine Apertura - Round 18 Results
December 6
All Boys 1 - 0 Argentinos Juniors
Olimpo 0 - 0 Estudiantes
Racing Club 1 - 0 Atl. Rafaela
Union 0 - 1 Lanus
December 7
Arsenal 2 - 2 Boca Juniors
Godoy Cruz 0 - 1 Colon
December 8
Newell's Old Boys 0 - 0 San Martin San Juan
Banfield 0 - 2 Belgrano
San Lorenzo 0 - 1 Independiente
Tigre 1 - 3 Velez Sarsfield
