Boca Juniors were crowned Argentine champions on Sunday with one game to spare after Fabian Monzon’s first half header helped them beat Tigre at the Bombonera.
They will now turn their attention to the Copa Argentina final and the chance to seal a memorable league and cup double when they take on Rosario Central in midweek.
Inspired by Carlos Tevez, who returned to the club earlier this year, it is the 31st title the club has won — only fierce rivals River Plate, with 36, have registered more.
Despite interest from European clubs in the summer, Tevez made an emotional decision to return to Boca, where had previously played from 2001 to 2004 before a move to Brazilian side Corinthians.
He has since represented West Ham, Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, but his heart had always been set on a return to the Buenos Aires club.
Five league goals have followed since his return, and, speaking on television in Argentina after winning his first full league title with Boca, he had to fight to hold back the tears.
“I’m very happy, I came back here so that I could feel this [emotion] again,” he explained.
“It’s difficult to talk right now, I’m really emotional. These boys needed a championship to take the pressure off — now they will be a new Boca.”
Defeat to Tigre could have left Rodolpho Arruabarrena’s side in a precarious position, needing to win in their final match against Rosario Central, who still could have won the league themselves before Sunday’s fixtures.
However, the three points, coupled with Rosario Central’s corresponding defeat to Banfield, ensured the title was clinched with minimal fuss.
Defender Monzon scored the game’s only goal, stealing in at the near post to smartly head home a Nicolas Lodeiro corner kick.
That was in the first half and although Boca never added to their slender lead, they were never troubled by Tigre after the break.
Instead, they cantered towards their first Primera Division triumph since 2011 and may feel they should have won by more.
With a cup final to come, though, the players’ celebrations may have to be short lived.
The fans, on the other hand, in the world's most populous city for football clubs, may well feel the need to celebrate a little longer.
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