Running order for TN Show de Goles:
Boca (navy & gold shirts) vs. Estudiantes (red & white stripes)
Vélez (white, navy 'V') vs. San Lorenzo (red & navy stripes)
Huracán (white) vs. Independiente (red)
Arsenal (sky blue, red sash) vs. Colón (red & black halves)
Lanús (white) vs. Argentinos (red, white sash)
Newell's (white) vs. Tigre (blue & red)
Racing (sky blue & white stripes) vs. Central (navy & yellow stripes)
Gimnasia de Jujuy (navy) vs. Godoy Cruz (white, navy pinstripe)
San Martín (red & white stripes) vs. Banfield (green & white stripes, goalkeeper scoring in all green)

The champions stumbled again, Arsenal won their second match in a row whilst Racing and Lanús both hit four and claimed three points. Boca, having gone nearly a year and a half without a home defeat until recently, have now lost twice in two weeks in La Bombonera, after Estudiantes did their lingering title hopes some more damage. And there were more fireworks in El Coloso as Newell's got a vital win over title contenders Tigre. All the heroes and villains are here as always...

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, ninth round:
Racing Club (F. Zuculini 20; M. Moralez 30, 75; P. Lugüercio 40) 4 - 1 Rosario Central (C. 'Kily' González 45; J. Broun OFF 28; G. Núñez OFF 90)
San Martín de Tucumán 0 - 1 Banfield (C. Lucchetti 62)
Vélez Sársfield (V. Zapata OFF 90+1) 0 - 1 San Lorenzo de Almagro (B. Romeo 87)
Lanús (E. Salvio 8, 30; J. Sand 28, 85) 4 - 2 Argentinos Juniors (N. Pavlovich 22, 36)
Newell's Old Boys (D. Torres 27; L. Vangioni 44) 2 - 0 Tigre
Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (G. Loeschbor 10; J. Arraya 73; H. Desvaux OFF 82) 2 - 1 Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (V. Figueroa 55)
Huracán (L. Díaz 73) 1 - 0 Independiente
Boca Juniors (L. Viatri 32) 1 - 2 Estudiantes de La Plata (D. Galván 62; L. Benítez 66)
Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata 0 - 0 River Plate
Arsenal Fútbol Club (J. Mosquera 25; J. Yacuzzi 60; A. Gómez 86) 3 - 2 Colón de Santa Fe (R. Ramírez 69; E. Fuertes 89)

As ever, for the goal videos, check back on Monday night. The league and Promedio tables will also be updated then.

Argentinos Juniors, who lost their first leg 2-1 in Mexico, are currently hosting San Luís in the return. River plate, who won against Defensor Sporting in Montevideo last week, have their home leg on Thursday night, kicking off at 19:15, whilst Arsenal vs. Estudiantes (the first leg was 2-1 to the home side in La Plata) kicks off two-and-a-half hours later. I'll be away on Friday night so videos of any goals in those matches will have to wait until Saturday, if at all, but for the goals from Boca's match and any that are scored in the Argentinos game tonight, check back on Thursday evening.

Running order for TN Show de Goles:
Estudiantes (red & white stripes) vs. Gimnasia LP (white & navy)
Godoy Cruz (white, navy pinstripe) vs. Boca (navy & gold)
River (white, red sash) vs. Racing (sky blue & white stripes)
San Lorenzo (red & navy stripes) vs. Arsenal (sky blue, red sash)
Tigre (navy & red) vs. Gimnasia de Jujuy (sky blue & white stripes)
Independiente (white) vs. Lanús (maroon)
Banfield (white, green sash) vs. Vélez (navy, white 'V')
Central (navy & yellow stripes) vs. San Martín (T) (red & white stripes)
Argentinos (white) vs. Newell's (red & black halves)
Colón (red & black) vs. Huracán (white)

On Friday night, Tigre kept up the pressure on leaders San Lorenzo, who kept their noses in front thanks to a comfortable win over Arsenal the following day. Sunday was clásico day, with River matching Racing blow-for-blow in a supremely entertaining match of six goals before Estudiantes eased past neighbours Gimnasia in the clásico de La Plata. On Sunday evening Newell's thrashed Argentinos in a six-pointer in La Paternal at the same time as Boca - whose first and reserve sides both won well during the week, in the Copa Sudamericana and the league - were utterly dismembered by Godoy Cruz in Mendoza as Colombian Jairo Castillo hit a hat trick. All the details are right here...

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, eighth round:
Tigre (M. Morel 6) 1 - 0 Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (F. Pieters OFF 59; D. Ramasco OFF 86)
Rosario Central (E. González 45+1) 1 - 1 San Martín de Tucumán (N. Herrera 70)
Colón de Santa Fe (E. Fuertes 48) 1 - 1 Huracán (H. Barrientos 27)
San Lorenzo de Almagro (N. Silvera 9; P. Barrientos 14) 2 - 0 Arsenal Fútbol Club
Independiente 0 - 2 Lanús (D. González 52; J. Sand 78)
River Plate (S. Salcedo 21; D. Buonanotte 62; F. Quiroga 72) 3 - 3 Racing Club (F. Quiroga OG 12; L. González 41; P. Caballero 69; G. Mercado OFF 90)
Estudiantes de La Plata (A. Alayes 17; J. L. Calderón 79; M. Boselli 83) 3 - 1 Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (S. Romero 56; R. Maldonado OFF 50)
Banfield (N. Bertolo 11; G. Barrales 80; M. Bustamante OFF 21) 2 - 2 Vélez Sársfield (L. Somoza 21, 35; J. Cristaldo OFF 21; G. Díaz OFF 84)
Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (J. Castillo 39, 60, 85; L. Sigali 48) 4 - 1 Boca Juniors (L. Gracián 36)
Argentinos Juniors 0 - 4 Newell's Old Boys (C. Fabbiani 42; S. Grazzini 76; R. Schiavi 79; H. Bernardello 88)

As usual, check back on Monday evening for the goals.

Copa Sudamericana last 16 first leg, Estudiantes de La Plata 2 - 1 Arsenal Fútbol Club:

[dailymotion id=x6uqz4]

Boca get things started, taking on Copa Libertadores holders Liga de Quito in La Bombonera in the first quarter-final. They're doing so with a very inexperienced backline: Julio Barroso makes his first start (he's played 20 minutes for the first team before tonight), two of the back four make their debuts tonight and another has played only four times for the first team.

A little later in the evening, there's an all-Argentine tie between Estudiantes and Arsenal, the first leg of which is in La Plata. Argentinos play San Luís de Potosí of Bolivia tomorrow, whilst River Plate take on Defensor Sporting in Montevideo on Thursday.

This list is taken from CONMEBOL's website, which doesn't make it clear, but I assume all kick off times are local to Asunción, where CONMEBOL are based.

Copa Sudamericana 2008, last sixteen:
23rd September:
Boca Juniors vs. Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito (ECU), 19:30
Estudiantes de La Plata vs. Arsenal Fútbol Club, 21:45

24th September:
San Luís de Potosí (BOL) vs. Argentinos Juniors, 19:45
América de Cali (COL) vs. Botafogo (BRA), 20:00
Guadalajara (MEX) vs. Atlético Paranaense (BRA), 20:00
Sport Áncash (PER) vs. Palmeiras (BRA), 20:00

25th September:
Defensor Sporting (URU) vs. River Plate, 20:00
Universidad Católica (CHI) vs. Internacional (BRA), 21:15

Running order of TN Show de Goles:
Boca (yellow shirts) vs. Tigre (navy & red)
San Martín (T) (red & white stripes) vs. River (navy)
San Lorenzo (white, navy & red stripe) vs. Colón (red & black halves)
Vélez (navy, white 'V') vs. Central (yellow)
Racing (navy) vs. Estudiantes (red & white stripes)
Newell's (white) vs. Independiente (red)
Gimnasia de Jujuy (sky blue & white stripes) vs. Argentinos (red, white sash)
Arsenal (sky blue, red sash) vs. Banfield (white, green sleeves & sash)
Gimnasia (white & navy) vs. Godoy Cruz (navy, white pinstripe)

For the goals from the B Nacional, click here.

River and Boca both suffered shock defeats on Sunday, San Lorenzo won on Friday to ensure they still top the table tonight regardless, and Vélez, who won well against Central on Saturday, are close behind them. Racing, having seen a three match unbeaten run ended in midweek by Godoy Cruz, got back to winnings ways against managerless Estudiantes on Saturday as well, though as ever they made things difficult for themselves in spite of going in at the break two goals up. All the weekend's goalscoring heroes and red carded villains, right here...

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, seventh round:
San Lorenzo de Almagro (G. Bergessio 21, 68; P. Barrientos 47) 3 - 0 Colón de Santa Fe
Lanús 0 - 0 Huracán
Arsenal Fútbol Club (F. Sava 59; A. Gómez 86; A. Matellán 90+1) 3 - 2 Banfield (V. López 18, 44)
Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (J. Arraya 49) 1 - 1 Argentinos Juniors (J.R. Fernández 64)
Vélez Sársfield (M. Uglessich 33; L. Somoza 81) 2 - 1 Rosario Central (L. Borzani 1)
Racing Club (A. Lucero 7; J.I. Sánchez Sotelo 17) 2 - 1 Estudiantes de La Plata (M. Galeana 46)
Boca Juniors (S. Battaglia 22, OFF 39; J. Blanco OG 28) 2 - 3 Tigre (C. Luna 6; M. Morel 12, 32)
San Martín de Tucumán (G. Ibáñez 34; D. Vega 77; E. Bruno 87) 3 - 1 River Plate (O. Merlo 11)
Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (M. Martirena 36; M. Messera 44; A. Agüero 54) 3 - 1 Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (V. Figueroa 90+2; M. Aguirre OFF 41)
Newell's Old Boys (C. Fabbiani 50) 1 - 0 Independiente

Newell's win over Independiente means they go into this Thursday's match with Boca (postponed from the fourth round due to Boca's participation in Barcelona's Copa Joan Gamper) five points behind San Lorenzo with a match in hand - exactly the same situation Boca go into the match in. Estudiantes and Huracán are joint bottom with just five each, whilst Newell's win in a thoroughly entertaining match is Claudio Borghi's first defeat as Independiente manager in domestic competition, and El Rojo's first loss in 16 matches.

Check back on Monday evening for the goals from the weekend.

San Lorenzo lead the Apertura following Friday night's win over Colón in the Nuevo Gasómetro, but they've got some competition, and on Saturday Vélez Sársfield reminded them of that fact with a 2-1 victory at home to Rosario Central. El Fortín played well after an early scare, and now sit two points back on San Lorenzo, with Boca (three behind Vélez) playing on Sunday. Elsewhere there was a draw in Jujuy and a goalfest in Sarandí.

Leonardo Borzani scored for Central within a minute, stabbing past Germán Montoya after a free kick from Kily González had evaded teammate Emilio Zelaya. That was almost the last say the Canalla had in the match, though, as Vélez put their feet down and began to dominate, with Emiliano Papa especially impressive, surging forward from left back whenever he got the chance. It was the former Central man who set up Vélez's equaliser in the 33rd minute, swinging over a corner which Mariano Uglessich converted with his head. In the second half, Vélez continued to dominate, but had to be patient.

The winner eventually arrived in the 81st minute, Leandro Somoza tucking away a penalty after man of the match Papa was brought down in the box by Walter Ribonetto. Vélez are on a run now: they've got four consecutive wins, and are five matches unbeaten home and away - it's ten games since they lost in the José Amalfitani. In two weeks time, they're at home to San Lorenzo - that should be a match worth seeing.

Saturday also saw an incredible comeback, as Arsenal, 2-0 down at home to Banfield after two first half goals from Víctor López, won 3-2 after scoring twice in the last five minutes of the match. Facundo Sava set them on the way just after the hour, Alejandro Gómez equalised in the 86th minute, and a minute into stoppage time Aníbal Matellán struck an improbable winner for El Arse. Gimnasia de Jujuy and Argentinos drew 1-1, and in B Nacional Aldosivi of Mar del Plata beat Tiro Federal 3-2 away to go joint top of the table next to Chacarita Juniors and Atlético Rafaela.

Running order for TN Show de Goles:
Colón (white shirts) vs. Lanús (maroon)
Tigre (blue & red) vs. Gimnasia LP (white & navy)
Banfield (orange, green sash) vs. San Lorenzo (red & navy stripes)
Huracán (white) vs. Newell's (red & black halves)
Estudiantes (grey & black stripes) vs. San Martín (T) (red & white stripes)
Godoy Cruz (navy, white pinstripe) vs. Racing (sky blue & white stripes)
River (white, red sash) vs. Vélez (navy, white 'V')
Central (yellow) vs. Arsenal (red & sky blue)
Independiente (red) vs. Gimnasia de Jujuy (sky blue & white stripes)

With under 24 hours until the seventh round kicks off, the league table will be updated on Monday when the calendar calms down a bit...

The sixth match of the Apertura was the date preordained by River Plate manager Diego Simeone as the day his first-choice side would finally come to life. Oh dear oh dear. River lost at home to Vélez on Wednesday and, one third of the way through the campaign, surely can't afford any more slip-ups if they're going to (somehow) succeed in defending their title. Another side in need of a win had better luck, Central dismantling Arsenal in Rosario, and Boca's drab draw with Argentinos in La Paternal means San Lorenzo, who won on Tuesday, remain top on points. Special mention to Independiente forward Leonel Núñez; he got a hat-trick against Gimnasia de Jujuy. The midweek round saw a managerial casualty, as well: Roberto Sensini quit Estudiantes, announcing that 'things aren't working', following his side's draw against San Martín. For all the details, step this way...

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, sixth round:
Colón de Santa Fe (E. Fuertes 35; R. Ramírez 54; L. Valdemarín 88) 3 - 3 Lanús (M. Fritzler 19; J. Sand 64; S. Blanco 87)
Tigre (M. Morel 66, 74; J. Blanco 68) 3 - 1 Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (J. San Román OG 5)
Banfield (N. Bertolo 52) 1 - 3 San Lorenzo de Almagro (N. Silvera 22; P. Barrientos 41; S. Solari 89)
Huracán (C. González 46) 1 - 1 Newell's Old Boys (R. Schiavi 30)
Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (V. Figueroa 89) 1 - 0 Racing Club
Estudiantes de La Plata (M. Boselli 44) 1 - 1 San Martín de Tucumán (R. Leone 87)
River Plate (A. Ríos 72) 1 - 2 Vélez Sársfield (J. Cristaldo 37; H. López 81)
Rosario Central (E. Zelaya 10; D. Braghieri 46; O. Zarif 86) 3 - 0 Arsenal Fútbol Club
Independiente (L. Núñez 4, 41, 54) 3 - 2 Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (C. Fileppi 49; R. Gómez 86; D. Ramasco OFF 73)
Argentinos Juniors 0 - 0 Boca Juniors

For the goals from this round, check back on Thursday evening.

The sixth round of fixtures is upon us already. Don't worry, you've not just lost five days of your life; we're playing in midweek to catch up from the international break last week. Highlights of this midweek round include River's quest for a decent performance continuing at home to Vélez, a relegation clash between Godoy Cruz and Racing, and Pablo Lunati attempting to referee the round's first match in Santa Fe, where Colón host Lanús.

All kick off times are local. Add four hours for British Summer Time.

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, sixth round:
Colón de Santa Fe vs. Lanús (Tues, 15:00)
Tigre vs. Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (Tues, 17:10)
Banfield vs. San Lorenzo de Almagro (Tues, 19:20)
Huracán vs. Newell's Old Boys (Tues, 21:30)
Estudiantes de La Plata vs. San Martín de Tucumán (Weds, 15:00)
Godoy Cruz vs. Racing Club (Weds, 15:00)
River Plate vs. Vélez Sársfield (Weds, 17:10)
Rosario Central vs. Arsenal Fútbol Club (Weds, 17:10)
Independiente vs. Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (Weds, 19:30)
Argentinos Juniors vs. Boca Juniors (Weds, 19:30)

Running order for TN Show de Goles:
Boca (navy & gold shirts) vs. Independiente (red)
Arsenal (sky blue, red sash) vs. River (white, red sash)
San Lorenzo (red & navy stripes) vs. Central (navy & yellow stripes)
Vélez (navy, white 'V') vs. Estudiantes (red & white stripes)
San Martín (T) (red & white stripes) vs. Godoy Cruz (navy, white pinstripe)
Newell's (white) vs. Lanús (maroon)
Gimnasia de Jujuy (navy & sky blue) vs. Huracán (white)
Gimnasia LP (navy & white) vs. Argentinos (red, white sash)

Lower league goal videos:

TN have split these into three videos this week - with captions so you know which teams you're watching. You'll find them (in the order they're posted) here, here and here. Enjoy!

Unfortunately there aren't any individual goal videos this week, so I can't run the normal 'best goals of the week' feature.

It's been an interesting weekend in Primera A, with Gimnasia de Jujuy and Huracán giving us a seven goal thriller to kick it off, Racing making it three matches unbeaten, the two promotees sharing the spoils in Tucumán, and River stumbling again. There was also a draw in a very heated clásico between Boca and Independiente in La Bombonera. All the scores and scorers are right here, as always...

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, fifth round:
Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (F. Acuña 5; C. Carranza 52; J. Luna 75; F. Pieters 82) 4 - 3 Huracán (L. Díaz 23; C. González 62; D. Herner 68)
Banfield 0 - 0 Colón de Santa Fe
Newell's Old Boys (E. Cristaldo 48; D. Torres 77; J.L. Quiroga OFF 45) 2 - 1 Lanús (S. Blanco 30)
Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (I. Piatti 4; R. Maldonado OFF 53) 1 - 1 Argentinos Juniors (N. Pavlovich 49; N. Gorosito (manager) OFF 45; G. Hauche OFF 53)
San Lorenzo de Almagro (A. González 39, 51) 2 - 1 Rosario Central (A. Danelón 11)
Racing Club (G. Mercado OFF 61) 0 - 0 Tigre (D. Castaño OFF 56)
San Martín de Tucumán (D. Vega 71) 1 - 1 Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (L. Caruso 88)
Vélez Sársfield (L. Velázquez 90) 1 - 0 Estudiantes de La Plata
Boca Juniors (R. Palacio 46) 1 - 1 Independiente (D. Gandín 49; D. Montenegro OFF 75; G. Rodríguez OFF 87)
Arsenal Fútbol Club (C. Castiglione 38; J. Yacuzzi 61; C. Pellerano OFF 84) 2 - 2 River Plate (C. Villagra 19; R. Falcao García 71)

As usual, for the goals on video, check back on Monday night. The league table will also be updated later on Monday.

It's been a long two weeks away from top flight club action, but after the disappointments of the selección's performances against Paraguay and Peru, the Primera A is back to provide us - surely - with some good football and excitement once again. Champions River Plate have been experimenting during the break and it's anyone's guess who Diego Simeone will put out against Arsenal in Sarandí on Sunday evening, but Boca Juniors look certain to bring Rodrigo Palacio back into the starting lineup for the clásico against Independiente. Elsewhere two of the newly promoted sides meet in Tucumán, Colón visit Banfield and Racing host Tigre.

Kick off times are local. Add four hours for British Summer Time.

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, fifth round:
Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy vs. Huracán (Fri, 19:00)
Banfield vs. Colón de Santa Fe (Fri, 21:15)
Newell's Old Boys vs. Lanús (Sat, 16:10)
Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata vs. Argentinos Juniors (Sat, 18:20)
San Lorenzo de Almagro vs. Rosario Central (Sat, 18:20)
Racing Club vs. Tigre (Sat, 21:10)
San Martín de Tucumán vs. Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (Sun, 14:10)
Vélez Sársfield vs. Estudiantes de La Plata (Sun, 14:10)
Boca Juniors vs. Independiente (Sun, 16:20)
Arsenal Fútbol Club vs. River Plate (Sun, 18:40)

I'm visiting London this weekend so there won't be updates of the matches on Friday and Saturday evenings, but I'll be back online in time to round up the final matches of the weekend (trains permitting).

Jocimar Nascimento gave the hosts an early lead and a faint, distant sliver of hope, but it was extinguished with Arsenal's first attack as Alejandro Gómez, one of relatively few first-teamers on show, took the ball down and easily beat goalkeeper Morales. Later in the match, one of the players Garnero experimented with, Facundo Coria, was brought down in the box and converted the resultant penalty himself. Aside from a bit of match practice for the likes of Sergio Sena and some of the substitutes, as well as Andrés San Martín, returning from injury, the match didn't mean an awful lot after the first leg scoreline.

In the next round Arsenal will have a bit more of a challenge: they've got Estudiantes.

Primera A Show de Goles:
Huracán (white) vs. Boca (navy & gold)
Independiente (red) vs. Gimnasia LP (white & navy)
Lanús (maroon) vs. Gimnasia de Jujuy (sky blue & white stripes)
Tigre (navy & red) vs. San Martín (T) (red & white stripes)
Argentinos (red) vs. Racing (sky blue & white stripes)
Estudiantes (red & white stripes) vs. Arsenal (red & sky blue)
Colón (white) vs. Newell's (red & black halves)
Godoy Cruz (navy, white pinstripe) vs. Vélez (white, navy 'V')

I've highlighted the kits worn by Colón and Newell's because both side's home colours are identical - but it's Colón, the hosts, playing in their normal away kit, for some reason. Just in case you were wondering.

Click here to watch the goals from the Ascenso on the TN site (with a caption to tell you which teams you're watching at any given moment. Why don't they do that for Primera A?).

My favourites:

Pieters: Lanús 0 - 2 Gimnasia de Jujuy (33rd min)

[dailymotion id=k3VpLl366hTgL3Kw7D]

Sand: Lanús 1 - 2 Gimnasia de Jujuy (37th min)

[dailymotion id=k6VKutzm5B566GKw8w]

Verón: Estudiantes 1 - 0 Arsenal (21st min)

[dailymotion id=kuLx9TtsVBbBqzKCtx]

Calderón: Estudiantes 2 - 0 Arsenal (82nd min)

[dailymotion id=k44oeI0idLxzcQKCu9]

Leone: Tigre 1 - 2 San Martín (T) (66th min)

[dailymotion id=k7gqnTp0v7RqydKvVZ]

The clásico was a bit of a damp squib in the end: River and San Lorenzo didn't exactly serve up a poor match, but it wasn't a great one either and the one talking point was the undisputed foul of the weekend, a flying studs-up kick by San Lorenzo defender Sebastián Méndez right in the middle of River striker Radamel Falcao García's back which was the last action of the game and earned him a well-deserved red card. Falcao, mercifully, was uninjured. Elsewhere Boca adjusted to life without Martín Palermo pretty well, youngster Osvaldo Gaitán bagging a brace - although they were only playing Huracán. Estudiantes, Vélez and Lanús all won, the latter coming from 2-0 down thanks to a José Sand hat-trick. The story of the weekend, though, was at La Paternal where no-one was quite sure what was the bigger surprise: that Argentinos lost, after one year and four days unbeaten at home; or that Racing won, after - seemingly - almost as long.

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, fourth round:
Tigre (M. Morel 61; N. Paparatto OFF 86) 1 - 2 San Martín de Tucumán (M. Turdó 13; R. Leone 66)
Lanús (J. Sand 37, 47, 63; D. Valeri OFF 72) 3 - 2 Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (C. Carranza 30; F. Pieters 33)
Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (I. Borghello 47) 1 - 3 Vélez Sársfield (W. Ponce 35; H. López 42; J. M. Martínez 85)
Colón de Santa Fe (A. Capurro 11; P. Aguilar OFF 89) 1 - 1 Newell's Old Boys (J. C. Ferreyra 88)
Rosario Central 0 - 0 Banfield
Argentinos Juniors 0 - 1 Racing Club (L. González 14)
Estudiantes de La Plata (J. S. Verón 21; J. L. Calderón 82) 2 - 0 Arsenal Fútbol Club
Huracán 0 - 3 Boca Juniors (L. Viatri 9; O. Gaitán 76, 88)
River Plate 0 - 0 San Lorenzo de Almagro (G. Voboril OFF 88; S. Méndez OFF 90+2)
Independiente (L. Núñez 23; D. Ledesma OFF 63) 1 - 1 Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (F. Niell 46; E. González OFF 80)

As ever, check back later on Monday for the weekly goal video.

Martín Palermo's out for a while, but Boca Juniors provided themselves with a morale boost in the wake of a traumatic few days following their hero's injury. After Palermo's record-equalling goal set them on their way to a first-leg victory in Sarandí, it was back to La Bombonera for the second leg of the Recopa Sudamericana, and despite Arsenal scaring them in the second half and threatening to take the tie to penalties, another club favourite - Juan Román Riquelme - gave his public a return worthy of an Olympic gold medallist, whacking in a majestic free kick for a 2-2 draw, and a 5-3 aggregate victory.

Boca raced into the lead, and it was Palermo's replacement, youngster Lucas Viatri, who combined with Rodrigo Palacio, cutting down the channel and pulling the ball back to the centre for Palacio to score. Boca led 4-1 on aggregate, Arsenal were more obliged than ever to come out, and the match opened out. In spite of the visitors' best efforts, though, Boca were controlling things on home soil and, having kept the threat from Arsenal at arm's length, went to the dressing room with the same advantage at half time.

In the second half Arsenal missed Luciano Leguizamón, who didn't return to the pitch having picked up a knock during the first half, and they continued to be pegged back by the hosts in the early part of the second period. Then, all of a sudden, shortly before the hour mark, things changed. After Riquelme had hit the crossbar after a near length-of-the-pitch run, Arsenal countered and Sebastián Carrera took advantage of a poorly judged charge from Boca's goal by Mauricio Caranta, levelling things up on the night and giving Arsenal hope, however slim, of taking it to penalties.

The goal revitalised Arsenal, Mauricio Matos going close in the very next attack and missing another minutes after, but he made no mistake the third time. After Riquelme had again passed up a scoring opportunity - electing to go for power with a free kick after Carlos Báez had brought him down (the Arsenal centre back seeing red for his troubles) and hitting the wall - goalscorer Carrera turned provider and his cross was headed in by Matos. 2-1 to Arsenal, and at 4-3 on the night another goal for the visitors would have taken the tie to penalties.

Boca were on the ropes, with Riquelme fading fast from the match as the fatigue of the journey back from Beijing perhaps began to take its toll. Caranta saved from Javier Yacuzzi as Arsenal continued to pressure, but late on things began to unravel at last, and played into Boca's hands. Ten minutes before the end, Christian Díaz picked up a second yellow card to reduce the visitors to nine men, following a foul on Viatri. Thereafter, the result ceased to be in doubt, and, even with Boca getting back into control, the coup de grace arrived from a set piece. With a little help from Arsenal 'keeper Cristian Campestrini, Riquelme netted the equaliser on the night to give Boca a 5-3 win on aggregate, and their 18th international trophy - they draw back level with A.C. Milan in the international roll of honour.

Check back later on Thursday for the goal video.

Running order for TN Show de Goles:
Boca (navy & gold) vs. Lanús (maroon)
Banfield (orange, green trim) vs. River (white, red sash)
Racing (sky blue & white stripes) vs. Independiente (red)
San Lorenzo (red & navy stripes) vs. Estudiantes (red & white stripes)
Central (navy & yellow stripes) vs. Colón (red & black halves)
Gimnasia LP (navy & white) vs. Huracán (white)
Gimnasia de Jujuy (sky blue & white stripes) vs. Newell's (red & black halves)
Vélez (white, navy 'V') vs. Tigre (navy & red)
Arsenal (red & sky blue) vs. Godoy Cruz (blue w/ white pinstripe)

The third round of matches in the 2008 Torneo Apertura is now over, and it's been an interesting one. Boca Juniors returned to Argentina with a win but lost Martín Palermo, who's torn knee ligaments and will be out for between five and eight months. That record will have to be put on ice for a while. San Lorenzo bounced back from Copa Sudamericana elimination at the hands of Argentinos with a thumping home win over Estudiantes, the clásico de Avellaneda finished all square, unjustly for Racing, and champions River Plate recorded their first loss of the campaign despite the goalscoring return of Radamel Falcao García.

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, third round:
Rosario Central 0 - 1 Colón de Santa Fe (P. Aguilar 41)
Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (D. Alonso 86) 1 - 0 Huracán
Banfield (S. Raymonda 7; N. Bertolo 36) 2 - 1 River Plate (R. F. García 90+3)
Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (C. Carranza 32) 1 - 0 Newell's Old Boys
Arsenal Fútbol Club (A. Gómez 4; M. Matos 85) 2 - 1 Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (M. Aguirre 28)
Vélez Sársfield (V. Zapata 56) 1 - 1 Tigre (M. Giménez 69)
Racing Club (F. Sosa 89) 1 - 1 Independiente (D. Montenegro 40)
Boca Juniors (F. Vargas 26; C. Chávez 68) 2 - 1 Lanús (J. Sand 6)
San Martín de Tucumán 0 - 0 Argentinos Juniors
San Lorenzo de Almagro (C. Ledesma 9; B. Romeo 72; J. C. Menseguez 90+2) 3 - 0 Estudiantes de La Plata

Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with the colour on your monitor: there wasn't a single red card given this weekend.

For the goals, check back later on Monday. Now that a sensible number of matches have passed, the league table will also be appearing shortly.

The third weekend is already upon us, with Boca returning to league action after their holiday in Catalunya by hosting Lanús. The champions are away to Banfield on Saturday, whilst it's an all-Santa Fe Province clash between Rosario Central and Colón which kicks the weekend off. Estudiantes, having finally won a match on Wednesday night against Independiente in the Copa Sudamericana, travel to San Lorenzo, but the biggest match of the weekend is the season's first clásico - Racing vs. Independiente, on Sunday afternoon.

All kick off times are local. Add four hours for British Summer Time.

Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, third round:
Rosario Central vs. Colón de Santa Fe (Fri, 19:00)
Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata vs. Huracán (Fri, 21:15)
Banfield vs. River Plate (Sat, 15:00)
Arsenal Fútbol Club vs. Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (Sat, 21:10)
Vélez Sársfield vs. Tigre (Sat, 21:10)
Racing Club vs. Independiente (Sun, 14:10)
Boca Juniors vs. Lanús (Sun, 16:20)
San Martín de Tucumán vs. Argentinos Juniors (Sun, 18:40)
San Lorenzo de Almagro vs. Estudiantes de La Plata (Sun, 18:40)

Arsenal Fútbol Club 4 - 0 Deportivo Motagua (Honduras)