Last weekend's start to the Torneo Apertura in Argentina gave fútbol fans the opportunity to move on from weeks of drama that had suspended the start of the season, but while ratings for River and Boca matches reflected public excitement for the season's start (if not the AFA's new government sponsored television deal), the story of the tournament's first weekend was the new era of Argentine football.

With Cristina Fernández and her government having entered into a new television contract with the AFA, thus allowing the federation to break their deal with Torneos y Competencias, weekend matches which would have otherwise been available on a pay-per-view basis where available for free over broadcast airwaves. Matches featuring River Plate (at Banfield) and Boca (hosting Argentinos) garnered 20.3 and 19.9 ratings, respectively.

For perspective, channel Telefé would win the weekend's rating battle with a 11.2 average mark for all its broadcasts.

Given the short time the new television deal has been in place, all evidence from the first weekend lacks context. We will not be able to draw conclusions until later in the tournament, when we can more accurately assess whether the new television contract makes fútbol more accessible to all Argentinians (to say nothing about whether the government can take advantage of monetizing the product). After one weekend, the government can at least point to the ratings and say people got to see River and Boca, with fewer paying for this weekend's matches then would have last tournament.

Results

Though many tuned in to see Ariel Ortega and Marcello Gallardo, River lost at Banfield 2-0, hinting this Apertura could be more like last year's than the relative resurgence we say in the Clausura. Banfield's efforts were led my 18-year-old Columbian James Rodríguez.

As a 17-year-old, Rodríguez made twelve appearances for Banfield in the Clausura, starting once and scoring one goal. The attacking midfielder started Sunday's match on the left and was the most dynamic player in the match, if the crowd's appreciation following his 82nd minute substitution was to be believed.

Boca disappointed in its start to the season, drawing with Argentinos 2-2 at La Bombonera. Argentinos took a two goal lead in to half thanks to goals by Gabriel Hauche and Nicolas Gianni. Boca was saved by halftime substitute Guillermo Marino, who came on for Nicólas Gaitán and scored both Boca goals, doing so while wearing the boots of the injured Juan Roman Riquelme.

Though Boca stumbled in their opener, the other tournament favorites got off to strong starts:

- Clausura champion Vélez Sarsfield won at Cólon, 1-0 thanks to an 83rd minute goal from Jonathan Cristaldo, a halftime substitute.
- Lanús showed the absence of José Sand may not be long felt as Santiago Salcedo, brought in form Newell's Old Boys to replace the leading scorer from last tournament, scored two first half goals, leading El Granate to a 2-1 win at Huracán.
- Tigre won a hard fought, emotional victory over newly promoted Chacarita Juniors, 2-1, holding on to their one goal lead through most of the second half after Leandro Lázzaro added his second, tie-breaking goal in the 53rd minute.
- One of the two most impressive sides, San Lorenzo posted a 3-1 victory over Atlético thanks in large part to Gonzalo Bergessio, whose 3rd minute goal was augmented by an assist in a match which he often controlled.
- Copa Libertadores champions Estudiantes may have had the most impressive first weekend, though it was in a style that's becoming emblematic of this team. Estudiantes jumped out early on Arsenal thanks to an 8th minute goal from Mauro Boselli. Despite spirited play from the hosts, Arsenal never seriously threatened to change a 2-0 score the visitors held after Christian Cellay's goal just before halftime.

Godoy Cruz, Newell's Old Boys, and Rosario Central were also victorious in round one.

Copa Sudamericana

The three Argentine Copa match-ups kicked off mid-week, serving as the unofficial, unexpected start to the Argentine season. While it will be two more weeks before the ties play their second legs, the matches gave us a small previous of what to expect come the weekend.

In hindsight, the most telling results may have been Vélez's visit to Boca, a match that saw an early Boca goal equalized late by a Vélez side that subtly exerted their will on the match. Victor Zapata would score in the 78th minute, allowing Vélez to return home for the second leg with a 1-1 result.

As was the case on the weekend, Lanús would earn a 2-1 road win while River failed to get a result at home. Eduardo Salvio scored two goals in the match's last ten minutes.

And in the final match (though the one that was played first, on Tuesday), but Tigre and San Lorenzo would show why they could replicate their results from the last Apertura. Tigre exploited early defensive disorganization from the visitors to go up 2-0 in the first ten minutes (Martín Morel, Lucas Oviedo). From there out, San Lorenzo would control the match, though they were only able to post a 31st minute goal from captain Diego Rivera.

Round 2

The weekend's marque matchup sees Boca visit Lanús in what will be a must-win match if Boca plans to defend their Apertura crown. That may seem a bold (read: rash) statement, but with most of the tournament favorites winning last week, those teams being favored in this week's matches, and the short 19-match campaign, a six point deficit to four or five other capable clubs would make a recovery a statistical improbability.

Not the one point would be that much better. Boca may need three.

Lanús had a strong start at Huracán but it remains to be see if they can consistently replace the loss of Sand. They were outshot by Huracán 2-1 last week, and one of Salcedo's goals was from the spot. They can be had.

Riquelme is expected to return for the match, provided he is not bought by Manchester City before then (I'm only half-kidding about that).

Elsewhere, Estudiantes and Gimnasia face off in La Plata. Last time the two rivals met, a stoppage time goal from Cristian Sánchez Prette earned Estudiantes a draw at El Bosque. However, in last year's Apertura, Estudiantes won this fixture, 3-1.

Round 2 matches:

Friday, August 28
- Tigre v. Rosario Central
- Racing Club vs. Colón

Saturday, August 29
-Vélez Sarsfield vs. Arsenal
-Estudiantes vs. Gimnasia
-Argentinos Juniors vs. Banfield
-Godoy Cruz vs. San Lorenzo

Sunday, August 30
-River Plate vs. Chacarita Juniors
-Atlético Tucumán vs. Independiente
-Lanús vs. Boca Juniors
-Newell's Old Boys vs. Huracán