Primera Argentina: Matchday 27 and Season Roundup

The football season in Argentina has come to an end, culminating in a dramatic finale as Vélez Sarsfield claimed the Primera Argentina title on the last day with a 2-0 victory over Huracán, one of their closest challengers.

It seemed the title would be a straightforward win for the Fortín, but a string of poor results in recent weeks, including six draws in seven matches, tightened the race. Heading into the final round, Vélez, Huracán, and Talleres all had a shot at the championship. However, Vélez was the only team that controlled their own destiny, and they didn’t falter.

Playing at home in front of their fans, and just days after losing the Copa Argentina final, Gustavo Quinteros’ team secured the title with goals from Claudio Aquino and Damián Fernández. This marks Vélez’s 11th first-division title and their first since 2013. For coach Quinteros, it adds another feather to his cap, as he has now won league titles in four different countries across South America, having previously triumphed in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile.

Talleres finished as runners-up, three points behind Vélez, after a surprising 1-3 loss at home to Newell’s. Even so, the goal difference didn’t favor them in the title race.

The league’s top scorer was the veteran Franco Jara, a 36-year-old striker from Belgrano, who netted 13 goals, edging out Braian Romero (12) and Miguel Borja (11). In the assists category, Lanús midfielder Marcelino Moreno dominated with 10 assists, while Sebastián Villa, Thiago Fernández, and Alexis Manyoma each finished with six.

Vélez’s key player, Claudio Aquino, was instrumental in their success, contributing nine goals and four assists and solidifying his status as one of the tournament’s standout performers.

Alongside Vélez, Argentina will send Racing (Copa Sudamericana 2024 champions), Estudiantes (Copa de la Liga 2024 champions), Central Córdoba (Copa Argentina champions), Talleres, River Plate, and Boca Juniors to the Copa Libertadores 2025. The latter three qualified via the year’s aggregate table, with Boca starting in the second phase of the preliminary round while the others enter the group stage.

For the Copa Sudamericana, six teams qualified based on the year’s standings: Godoy Cruz, Independiente, Huracán, Unión, Lanús, and Defensa y Justicia.

In a controversial decision, AFA President Chiqui Tapia canceled the two planned relegations for this year, meaning the league will expand to 30 teams next season. Aldosivi, winners of the Primera Nacional 2024, and San Martín de San Juan, victors of the promotion playoffs, will join the top division.

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Primera Argentina Matchday 27: Boca Juniors 0-0 Independiente

In a match lacking major excitement, Boca Juniors and Independiente played to a 0-0 draw, closing out a year without titles and far from their initial aspirations.

The Diablos Rojos were slightly better and created more opportunities but came up against an excellent performance from Leandro Brey, who was one of the standout players of the night.

The silver lining for Boca this weekend was Vélez winning the championship, as it was the only outcome that secured their place in the Copa Libertadores. Independiente, on the other hand, will participate in the Copa Sudamericana.

Primera Argentina Matchday 27: Racing 1-0 River

Racing ended a great 2024 with a victory in front of their home fans, closing out a year in which they won the Copa Sudamericana. The match finished 1-0 against River Plate, thanks to a solitary goal from Maximiliano Salas.

The goal came in the 35th minute with an excellent header from Salas following a corner kick by Juan Fernando Quintero. Another standout in the victory was Gabriel Arias, who made several crucial saves.

Both clubs finished the year with 70 points and secured their spots in the next Copa Libertadores.

Primera Argentina Matchday 27: Vélez 2-0 Huracán

The highly anticipated match ended in a calm 2-0 victory for Vélez over Huracán, securing the long-awaited title that had eluded them for many years.

The first goal came at the half-hour mark through the team’s standout player, Claudio Aquino. After Hernán Galíndez made a save, Aquino capitalized on the rebound and scored immediately.

The second goal followed shortly before halftime, in the 41st minute when another shot was saved by Galíndez, only for Damián Fernández to seize the rebound and make it 2-0.

From there, it was just a matter of waiting for the final whistle. Vélez even had further chances to extend their lead, while Huracán failed to show any signs of mounting a comeback.

Vélez was crowned the new champion of Argentine football for the 11th time in their history. Meanwhile, Huracán remains stuck at five titles, their last triumph dating back to 1973.

Primera Argentina Matchday 27: Talleres 1-3 Newell’s

Talleres needed a win and for Huracán to do the same, but neither happened as Vélez secured their victory, and they fell 1-3 at home to Newell’s.

The Córdoba side entered the final matchday with a chance at the Primera Argentina title, but they couldn’teven fulfill their part. After a first half with few opportunities, the action arrived in the second. Before the hour mark, Francisco González fired a powerful shot into the top corner to make it 0-1.

The equalizer came five minutes later with a well-placed cross-shot from Sebastián Palacios. However, in the 83rd minute, Agustín Juárez restored the lead for Newell’s with a header.

By the end of the match, already knowing the outcome of Vélez’s game, Juan Manuel García scored after three quick attempts in the six-yard box, giving Newell’s a much-needed victory to close out a forgettable season. As for Talleres, their championship hopes will have to wait for another occasion.