Boca Juniors were on Saturday crowned the annual league champions in Argentina after their 1-0 victory against Defensa y Justicia, scored by Enner Valencia at La Bombonera.

Before Boca Juniors’ solitary goal, drama ensued at the Gigante de Arroyito stadium, when players and officials of Rosario Central prematurely celebrated winning the title, after goals by Julián Fernández and Emanuel Coronel earned them a 2-0 victory over Estudiantes de Río Cuarto.

After the referee’s final whistle, the jubilant Rosario Central’s players climbed the fences separating them from fans who also invaded the pitch in celebration. 

The victory placed Rosario Central on top of the league momentarily but the jubilation in the stadium suddenly turned into tears, when one of the other final fixtures of the day, saw fellow title contenders Boca Juniors, playing a goalless draw, finally found the back of the net against Defensa y Justicia, in the 96th minute.

There were initially doubts about whether Boca Juniors’ goal would stand, following a possible foul on the goalkeeper Matías Borgogno of Defensa y Justicia.

The uncertainty momentarily gave Rosario Central players and supporters hope, which was soon dashed after match officials allowed the goal to stand, giving Boca Juniors the victory, and breaking the hearts of Rosario Central’s players who went into tears.

Speaking after the match, Central coach, Jorge Almirón said, “We got confused. We celebrated too early because we got carried away by the crowd.”

After realising the title has been lost, the disappointed supporters still gave their players a standing ovation following their match victory.

Boca Juniors’ captain, Leandro Paredes, after the last minute victory said, “I don’t have the words to describe what I’m feeling right now. I kept believing until the very last second. We deserved this, and we’ve accomplished it. I came back for this. Throughout my entire career, I dreamed of becoming a champion on this pitch.”

The lone goal earned Boca Juniors the league title with 63 points, one ahead of Rosario Central.

Boca Juniors’ title victory has also secured them direct qualification for the Copa Libertadores, and are still on the hunt for more silverware in the Copa Sudamericana and Copa Argentina.