Round 17 in Argentina’s Torneo Final saw Newell’s Old Boys play host to Union Santa Fe.
River Plate had beaten Independiente 2-1 the previous day to keep the pressure on the league-leading Old Boys.
Following a corner, ‘Maxi’ Rodriguez’s header put Newell’s ahead in the 31st minute.
Ignacio Scocco put the home side two up a couple of minutes before half-time after Union lost possession in midfield.
Then from another corner former Real Madrid and Manchester United full-back Gabriel Heinze extended the advantage further.
Rodriguez stylishly scored his second of the game with just under twenty minutes left, before substitutes Horacio Orzan and Maximiliano Urruti combined for Newell’s fifth – they now lead River by three points with two rounds left.
Lanus are also in title contention but their game a little earlier at Estudiantes was abandoned at half-time.
It was after news filtered through that a fan had died in violent clashes outside the stadium in La Plata before kick-off.
The start of the match was briefly delayed, and the referee called a halt to proceedings with the home side holding a 2-0 lead.
At the other end of the table, struggling Argentinos Juniors drew 1-1 away to San Lorenzo.
Lucas Rodriguez gave Juniors the lead in 25th minute, but Angel Correa levelled after the interval.
Ricardo Caruso Lombardi’s side still sit bottom, but are now just two points behind giants Boca Juniors who lost 2-0 at Racing Club on Sunday.
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