Banfield Are Champions Of Argentina Despite Boca Juniors Defeat

Despite losing at home to illustrious city rivals Boca Juniors, Banfield may well have just enjoyed their greatest result of all time. For even in defeat, they have done enough to win the Argentine Apertura championship - their first ever top-flight trophy.

The failure of Newell's Old Boys to defeat San Lorenzo ensured that the little green and white side from the suburbs finished two points clear at the top of the league table.

While Martin Palermo scored twice for Boca to sink their visitors, the Banfield fans at the Bombonera barely stopped celebrating throughout, as just four minutes after they went behind, San Lorenzo took the lead in Rosario through Fabian Bordagaray.

Both Palermo and Bordagaray scored in the second half to secure their respective results, and Banfield fans begun celebrating in earnest throughout the city.

Indeed, the supporters at the Bombonera were just part of the story. At the 'Lencho' stadium in Banfield, just 25 minutes' drive away, the stands were filled with fans listening to radios and watching on screens to follow the action throughout the day.

This is Banfield's first top-level championship in their 113-year history, beating their previous best of a second-place finish behind Velez Sarsfield in the 2005 Clausura.

Banfield had already qualified for the Copa de Libertadores 2010 due to their position in the top two, but also now guarantee entry to the group stage, whereas Newell's must overcome Emelec of Ecuador in the play-offs.

The Apertura season has just half a matchday remaining, with some questions regarding Argentina's complex relegation system still to be settled. No teams will drop down a level until the conclusion of the Clausura, which begins in the New Year.

Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com

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