Champion Boca Juniors thrashes Godoy Cruz at the start of the Super League Cup

BUENOS AIRES, Mar 14 (Reuters) – Argentine soccer champion Boca Juniors started the Super League Cup on the right foot after thrashing Godoy Cruz de Mendoza 4-1 on Saturday, in a match that was played without an audience due to the coronavirus outbreak that has left more than 5,000 dead worldwide.

With the victory, Boca has seven consecutive victories in the local competition, after the tie obtained in the first match of the year.

The goals of Boca, who a week ago became champion of the league, were scored by Julio Buffarini, Eduardo Salvio, Carlos Izquierdoz and the Colombian Jorman Campuzano, while Tomás Badaloni scored for Godoy Cruz.

“The Super League was what we wanted, not every day you win tournaments on the last date, but now we have to continue in the same way,” said midfielder Guillermo Fernández after the victory.

Earlier, Independiente de Avellaneda beat Vélez Sarsfield 1-0 at home with a penalty goal from Silvio Romero.

“It is important to have started this cup with a victory,” goalscorer Romero told local television.

On Friday, San Lorenzo de Almagro beat Patronato de Paraná 3-1 on the road thanks to a double by Paraguayan Oscar Romero and a goal by compatriot Adam Bareiro, while Gimnasia and Esgrima La Plata and Banfield drew without goals.

For its part, River Plate decided not to appear to play the game against Atlético Tucumán in disagreement with the decision to dispute the date despite the outbreak of coronavirus, for which the local federation opened an act and indicated possible sanctions.

“The judge of said party, Germán Delfino, attended the facilities of the Monumental stadium (of River) along with the rest of the refereeing delegation and the national public notary Marisa Galarza, and recorded the impossibility of entering the field to perform their functions, “said the Argentine Super League statement.

(Report by Ramiro Scandolo. Edited by Carlos Calvo Pacheco in Mexico City.)