Boca Juniors, Argentinos Juniors and Rosario Central went into the final round of Argentina's Liga Profesional on Saturday separated by a single point at the top of the annual table, according to Clarin.com. All three matches kicked off simultaneously, with the title to be settled on points and, if needed, goal difference rather than a playoff.
Boca hosted Defensa y Justicia at La Bombonera, Argentinos received Huracán at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, and Rosario Central faced Estudiantes de Río Cuarto at the Gigante de Arroyito. Clarin.com reported that as the three games got under way with no score, the side sitting top was the Boca team coached by Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
Why it matters
The annual table aggregates results across the season's two tournaments and, per Clarin.com, carries the league title itself. The regulations rank teams first by goal difference, then goals scored, then Fair Play, with a draw as the last resort. There is no deciding match, so every goal on the final afternoon could shift the outcome.
Boca arrived with the strongest cushion. Clarin.com reported the club had lost only three of its 31 matches in the regular phase across both tournaments, recording 16 wins and 12 draws, with 45 goals scored and 23 conceded. That record gave it a goal difference of +22, against +16 for Rosario Central and +12 for Argentinos.
The scenarios for each contender
Boca did not strictly need a win. According to Clarin.com, a draw against Defensa y Justicia would be enough provided Argentinos failed to beat Huracán and Rosario Central failed to beat Estudiantes. Even a defeat could leave Boca champions, though that outcome would depend on results elsewhere and on goal difference.
Argentinos had 17 victories, one more than Boca, along with nine draws and five defeats, scoring 37 and conceding 25. Clarin.com reported that if both Boca and Argentinos won, Argentinos would need to overturn at least ten goals of difference across the two results to take the title. A draw would lift Argentinos to 61 points, but it would still require Boca to lose and Rosario Central to drop points.
Rosario Central reached the final day on 59 points from 17 wins, eight draws and six defeats, with 44 goals for and 28 against. The Rosario side needed to win its own match and rely on help from elsewhere, while keeping track of events at the other two grounds.
Opponents with their own agendas
None of the three challengers faced an opponent with nothing to play for. Clarin.com reported that Defensa y Justicia travelled to La Bombonera still chasing international qualification, while Huracán needed points at La Paternal to stay in the race for the Clausura playoffs. Estudiantes de Río Cuarto arrived in Rosario with relegation already confirmed but with the ability to influence the title.
The early running offered little separation. Clarin.com's live coverage noted that Defensa y Justicia created the clearest opening when Gutiérrez broke clear, only for Boca goalkeeper Montero to deny him. In La Paternal, Oscar Cortés finished a Huracán move to put the visitors ahead, a result that at that stage removed Argentinos from contention. Franco Paredes went in with both feet for a challenge that referee Dóvalo penalised, with a VAR review to follow.
Clarin.com also noted that at least one Chilean player was guaranteed to finish the day as an Argentine champion, given the nationalities in the three squads.
What to watch
The final whistles at La Bombonera, La Paternal and the Gigante de Arroyito will settle the annual table, with goal difference the first tiebreaker if the points finish level.
