Three days of  great Primera División football rang in the Clausura this weekend in Argentina.

• Estudiantes 3:0 Arsenal

Mauro Boselli would score twice in the second half as Copa Libertadores winners Estudiantes dismantled Arsenal.

The teams looked evenly matched in the early stages, but as time passed Los Pincharratas grew more and more threatening.

The scoring would open after a Clemente Rodriguez cross would be deflected on by Marcelo Carrusca.

Boselli used some fancy footwork to maneuver around Arsenal keeper Cristian Campestrini twenty minutes into the second half for his club’s second on the evening.

It would not be Campestrini’s day, as a few minutes later he would once again be on the losing-side of a Boselli challenge—tripping the striker in the box. The resulting penalty would be calmly taken to give Boseslli a brace, and a commanding victory for the home squad.

• River Plate 0:1 Banfield

A win at El Monumental is certainly a great way for Banfield to keep the momentum going from their Apertura championship.

River unveiled some of their new signings, fielding center-back Alexis Ferrero, left-back Juan Manuel Díaz, and winger Rodrigo Rojas, but none of them would really shine—although Diaz did at time at least attempt to impose himself.

Banfield almost opened the scoring on 2 minutes when Sebastian Fernandez’s cross from the left-corner flag found the head of newly acquired Ruben Ramirez. But River’s keeper Mario Vega would do well to push it over the crossbar.

Both Banfield forwards would get additional opportunities within the half. Ramirez’s chance would come on 25 minutes, nicely avoiding the River’s defense to have space open—but his shot would be muffled and easily saved. Rodriguez’s chance would be more dangerous. Again occupying the left side, he would choose to go it alone, attempting a tight-angled shot that Vega cleared to his left. There was no opposite-side support for Banfield, and the chance on an open goal was squandered.

For River, the front three of coach Leonardo Astrada’s 4-3-1-2 would never really look threatening. Daniel Villalba and Rogerio Funes Mori, in particular, looked out-of-step with one another—indicating the partnership will take some time to develop.

The second half would be a showcase for Sebastian Fernandez, who showed good control in-and-around the box—and a badly needed desire for goal. On 72 minutes he would send a shot off the left post, and it looked like a goal would eventually come.

And it did. After some excellent work from Walter Erviti to keepto feed Fernandez, the striker took one touch inside with his left foot. As he was sliding to the grass, he pushed his right foot through inside the left post for the match’s only goal.

• Argentinos Juniors 2:2 Boca Juniors

Early on Boca was the stronger side, thanks primarily to the standout performances of newly acquired Jesús Méndez and Cristian Erbes, who controlled the midfield.

But Argentinos would hold on, having a good spell midway through the half. Facundo Coria would have a decent chance 20 minutes in that would go just wide, followed by Juan Mercier would have a go 10 minutes later.

Boca, however, would finish strongly. From outside the box Juan Riquelme offered a blistering shot in the 44^th minute that Nicol Peric turned away. But the ball bounced to Martin Palermo—who tapped it in easily.

Boca would continue to dictate play through much of the second half. But Argentinos would create enough pressure to level the score on 81 minutes after an own goal from Ezequiel Munoz.

Boca responded emphatically four minutes later, with Riquelme scoring with curling strike from outside the box into the far, right corner that Peric had no chance in keeping out.

But against the odds, in the third minute of stoppage time Ismael Sosa would score, after a Nicolas Pavlovich free kick, to allow Argentinos escape with a point.

• Newell’s Old Boys 0:0 Independiente

Newell’s were hoping to rebound from a discouraging performance against Emelec in the first round of the Copa Libertadores. However, it would not come—leaving lingering suspicions of an early exit from the tournament, and questions of their hopes for the Clausura.

In all fairness, it was a balanced affair that was tipped in Newell’s balance early on. As with the match against Emelec, it was Mauro Formica that seemed most interested in playing, picking up his pace when his cohorts in attack seemed unconditioned.

For Independiente, they were the better squad in the second half. It was the work of Federico Mancuello and his substitute Patricio Rodríguez that would yield the best chances. Despite more open play, the away squad couldn’t find a way past Newell’s keeper Sebastián Peratta.

• Godoy Cruz 1:0 Gimnasia La Plata

The battle of the new coaches would see the home team squeak out a victory.

Both sides were unable to capitalize on excellent chances in the first half. Jairo Castillo would just push a shot wide of the post 20 minutes in for Godoy, while Diego Villar would be just as unlucky when left alone with Godoy keeper Nelson Ibáñez ten minutes later.

The only goal would come late. In the 80^th minute, Gimnasia keeper Gaston Sessa would do well to keep out a strong header from Rodrigo Salinas. But the resulting rebound would be smacked by Federico Higuain. Sessa once again got a hand on the ball, but its force still brought it just over the line.

Gimnasia may feel they deserved a point out of the battle, but the faithful at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas would argue their squad was just a step quicker throughout the match. Knowing of the relegation battle their club faces this year, they celebrated Omar Asad’s first victory with the club as if it were a championship.

• Other results from around the league:

Lanús 3:2 Huracán

It would not have been expected, but it proved to be one of the most exciting matches of the weekend.

Huracán would start wonderfully, scoring two first-half goals from a solid strike from Patricio Toranzo (19’) and a converted rebound from Gaston Machin (24’).

A cameo from the newly purchased Gonzalo Castillejos halfway through the second half would energize the home squad. On 74 minutes he would score his first. Maximiliano Velazquez would add a second close to 10 minutes later from the penalty spot after a Gonzalo García hand ball. But the unbelievable third goal would come once again from the leg of Castillejos—who secured a victory, and won the adoration of Lanús fans, with a 90^th minute strike.

Racing Club 3:0 Rosario Central

The recent loss of some of their star performers was evident, as the Rosario club was no match for a energized Racing. First half goals from Pablo Lugüercio and Matias Martínez would be more than enough. But Claudio Bieler would score a third, announcing his return to Argentina in wonderful fashion.

Tigre 0:2 Chacarita Juniors

Two headers from defender Mariano Echevarria would be the difference Charcarita’s promising start.

Vélez Sarsfield 1:1 Colón

Santiago Silva’s return to El Fortín would yield a strongly headed goal, but Colón would respond in the 78th minute with a nicely taken Lucas Acosta’s strike to earn an away point.

Atlético Tucumán 0:1 San Lorenzo

An uninspired affair, but Fabian Bordagary’s strike midway through the first half would make the difference.