The Argentine Apertura's final fixtures were played out over the last few days, and notably Boca Juniors ended the Apertura unbeaten after a home win against All Boys. Boca are the first team to have an unbeaten campaign since they achieved the feat themselves in the 1998 Apertura, and set a new record for the fewest goals conceded with six. Godoy Cruz were also able to celebrate this week after they secured the final qualification spot for the Copa Libertadores, while Independiente, Racing Club, Tigre and Argentinos Juniors all qualified for next year's Copa Sudamericana. Week 19 was also the first time since Week 12 that all 10 matches featured at least one goal.
On Sunday, Argentinos Juniors overcame Olimpo by a single goal to qualify for the Sudamericana. Santiago Nagüel scored after 64 minutes with a low effort to win the game for the hosts, but Olimpo keeper Matías Ibañez will be very disappointed with his attempt at what should have been a simple save. Belgrano also won 1-0 against Arsenal to end the campaign in a very respectable fourth place, level on points with Racing Club, Vélez Sársfield and Colón. Franco Vázquez scored the game's only goal after 13 minutes, playing a neat one-two before placing a well-struck shot in the bottom corner. Estudiantes beat Unión 2-0 with goals from Mauro Boselli and Christian Cellay to give them their third win in four games and restore a modicum of respectability to an otherwise deeply disappointing Apertura.
Boca Juniors sealed a 1-0 win against All Boys thanks to a 78th minute goal from Dario Cvitanich. The former Ajax striker scored with a fine header to take his tally to five for the campaign and four in the last four games. Colón overcame hapless Banfield 4-1, with Javier Chevantón scoring a brace. Federico Higuaín took advantage of some careless marking to head Colón in front after five minutes, and Chevantón notched his first just before the break with a low finish. It was 3-0 after 52 minutes when Gabriel Graciani clipped a shot over Cristian Lucchetti before Chevantón made it 4-0 20 minutes later with a superb clipped shot that curled into the top corner. Facundo Ferreyra scored a consolation goal for Banfield in injury time.
Lanús and Newell's Old Boys shared four goals on Monday as they drew 2-2. Silvio Romero put Lanús in front after 20 minutes from close range, but Newell's then took the lead with two goals in six minutes. After 38 minutes they were level through Diego Mateo's header, and just before half time Pablo Pérez volleyed home in spectacular style to put Newell's ahead. The lead didn't last long, however, as Mario Regueiro levelled matters in the 53rd minute after a defensive mistake. Atlético Rafaela's late-season slump continued with a 2-0 home reverse against Godoy Cruz, who qualified for the Copa Libertadores with the win. Ariel Rojas scored five minutes before half time to put Godoy Cruz in front, and after 73 minutes Rubén Ramírez doubled the lead when he tapped home into an empty net.
David Ramírez capitalised on a calamitous error in defence to hand Vélez Sársfield a 1-0 win against Racing Club on Monday night, while Tigre were unable to hold onto their lead as they went down 2-1 at Independiente. Diego Morales scored from the penalty spot after 13 minutes to put Tigre in front, but Facundo Parra restored parity in the second half when he also calmly dispatched a penalty. Midway through the second half, el Rojo went 2-1 up through Hernán Fredes' strike from 25 yards to hold onto the win. Finally, San Martín piled more misery on San Lorenzo as they won 1-0 through Sebastián Penco's goal, which came after just two minutes.
Week 19 results (click on result for highlights)
