In the seventh week of Argentina’s Pro Football League, ties occurred in nine out of 14 matches, including four consecutive draws.
After River Plate’s 2-0 win over Boca Juniors, other games ended goalless. These include Platense vs. Argentinos Juniors and Atlético Tucumán vs. Central Córdoba.
Additionally, Tigre, Vélez Sarsfield, Colón, and Unión had nil-nil finishes. Estudiantes and Gimnasia, as well as Talleres and Belgrano, also drew without goals.
Meanwhile, San Lorenzo and Huracán tied 1-1 in a spirited clash. Adam Bareiro and Ignacio Pussetto scored for their teams.
On Monday, Barracas Central and Sarmiento also ended 1-1. So did Godoy Cruz and Instituto.
Over the weekend, Independiente defeated Racing Club 2-0. As a result, Racing Club’s coach, Fernando Gago, stepped down. Fans had criticized him heavily.
River Plate showcased strong performance against Boca, which played with many substitutes. Salomón Rondón and Enzo Díaz scored for River.
Ignacio Malcorra’s late free-kick earned Central a win over Newell’s in the Rosario derby. In another match, Banfield bested Lanús 1-0.
Lanús ended with nine players due to two red cards.
In Zone A standings, Independiente leads with 14 points. They are followed by River, Huracán, and Colón, each with 13.
Zone B has Racing Club at the top with 12 points. Next are Belgrano, Sarmiento, and Central Córdoba.
Upcoming matches feature Central vs. Huracán and San Lorenzo vs. Newell’s, among others.
The top four from each zone will move to a single-elimination round. The final match is set for December 16. The champion will qualify for the 2024 Copa Libertadores.
Background
Locally, the numerous draws could indicate a balanced competition within the Argentine league.
Teams seem to be closely matched, making for unpredictable outcomes. Fans of underperforming teams like Racing Club could be concerned, though.
A coaching change could bring a much-needed uplift for them.
A strong domestic league can serve as a talent pipeline for Argentina’s national team.
With competitive matches, young talents have a platform to shine. These prospects may eventually benefit not just Argentine football but global football as well.
Internationally, the Argentine league’s quality is under scrutiny. More ties could suggest a lack of decisive attacking talent.
This pattern contrasts with European leagues, known for their high-scoring games.
Yet, close matches can also imply a higher level of competition, making the league interesting for international viewers.
In summary, Week 7 revealed a league where any team can snatch points from another. The numerous draws offer local and international fans a season of surprises.
As the competition progresses, it will be exciting to see how teams adapt and whether new leaders emerge.