A surprise 3-1 win for Quilmes away at Copa Libertadores challengers Vélez Sarsfield allowed the team from the south of Buenos Aires to climb out of the bottom-three, while Olimpo also helped their survival chances with a 3-0 win at home to Argentinos Juniors.
Vélez, who just a handful of matches previously were fighting for the Final title, suffered a third consecutive reverse against the Cervecero, who triumphed thanks to goals from Gonzalo Rios, Joaquin Boghossian and Cristian Lema.
Fortín striker Lucas Pratto scored the home teams only goal, in the 28th minute of play.
Quilmes coach Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, who presented his resignation at the weekend after going down to Estudiantes but later changed his decision, was delighted at the reaction from his players.
«The team responded against a tough rival. We are alive. The players asked me to stay and fight relegation with them. I suffered a lot in the last game, but I promised them I would stay until the end,» the boss told reporters after the game.
In Bahía Blanca, two goals from Colombian striker José Valencia helped Olimpo gain a valuable three points over a direct relegation rival, after Damián Musto had given the hosts the lead just five minutes into proceedings.
The evening’s results mean Quilmes leave the drop zone, currently occupied by All Boys, Godoy Cruz and Argentinos Juniors. All Boys host Final basement-dwellers Arsenal, while the Mendozans face a tough trip to Córdoba against Belgrano. Both games are scheduled to be played on Thursday.
Source: Buenos AIres Herald