Following the weekend and Monday fixtures, the championship standings showcase stark contrasts between the traditional “big” clubs.
In Zona A, three teams share the summit with 16 points apiece: Vélez Sarsfield, Gimnasia de Mendoza, and Instituto, according to league standings data. Meanwhile, Zona B is led by Argentinos Juniors with 17 units, closely pursued by Sarmiento de Junín and Gimnasia La Plata, both sitting on 15 points.
River Plate extended its winning run under interim coach Leonardo Ponzio at El Monumental.
Boca Juniors traveled to Cuyo to face Gimnasia de Mendoza but failed to secure the win, conceding an agonizing late goal that leveled the match at 2-2 and left two crucial points behind. Racing Club endured an even tougher outcome, losing 2-1 at home to Atlético Tucumán after a last-minute strike from the visitor condemned the Academy to last place in Zona B. The result triggered fan backlash directed at head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda and club leadership headed by Gabriel Milito.
San Lorenzo found vital relief by defeating Talleres de Córdoba 1-0, keeping the Ciclo expectantly close to the Zona A playoff qualification places. The match marked Talleres’ debut of Omar De Felippe as manager, while San Lorenzo prepares for the return of Rubén Darío Insúa to the technical bench ahead of the next round. Independiente similarly claimed its first victory under manager Jadson Viera, beating Central Córdoba 1-0 away in Santiago del Estero. In Rosario, the fierce Clásico between Rosario Central and Newell’s Old Boys ended in a 1-1 draw at the Gigante de Arroyito after Matías Cóccaro netted a late equalizer for Newell’s.
Match action resumes with the opening of the ninth round on Friday, September 11, featuring Newell’s against Vélez in Zona A, followed by a full slate of fixtures running through Monday, September 14, when Instituto meets Estudiantes de Río Cuarto in the interzonal matchup.
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