The 2008 Torneo Apertura playoffs were the series that determined the winner of 2008 Torneo Apertura of Argentine Primera División. The series were contested by Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo, and Tigre, in order to decide the Apertura champions after those clubs had finished tied on points (39 points in 19 matches played) at the end of the tournament.Argentina 2008/09 by Juan Pablo Andrés at RSSSF.com Although San Lorenzo finished the season with a better goal difference (+17) than Boca and Tigre (+12 each) the Argentine Football Association committee decided that playoffs should be held in order to crown a champion.BOCA – SAN LORENZO – TIGRE: A ONCE AÑOS DE AQUEL POLÉMICO TRIANGULAR. Dec 23, 2019. by Javier Dispaldro on Vermouth Deportivo
It was the 7th. league final contested by Boca Juniors (had won championships in 1923,¡A 99 años del Boca Juniors Campeón de 1923! at UACDRA website 1970,Boca Juniors 2 - Rosario Central 1, match chronicle on Historia de Boca 1976Historia: aquella primera final entre Boca y River de 1976 on Diario PopularA 40 años de la única final entre Boca y River on El Gráfico, 22 December 2016) and the 5th. played by San Lorenzo (having won the title in 1968Matadores por siempre on Sanlorenzo.com.arLos Matadores, un equipo incomparable by Alejandro Fabbri and 1972San Lorenzo 1972, un campeón récord y ejemplar on El Gráfico, 1 Sep 2022).
On the other side, it was the first final contested by Tigre in the top division of Argentine football.Tigre vs San Lorenzo: historia de un duelo con cuentas pendientes by Jorge Palavecino on Vavel.com, 8 May 2025
The matches were played under a three-way playoff format. Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo finished both with 3 points each, but Boca Juniors' goal differenceBoca campeón Apertura 2008, El Gráfico 23 Dec 2021Triple empate y Boca campeón por diferencia de gol by Federico Del Río on TNT.com.ar, 23 Dec 2020 allowed them to won their 29th. league title.
This edition marked the second Primera División decider in history, following the Campeonato Nacional of 1968, where more than two teams participated.El triangular más insólito en la historia del fútbol by Carlos Beer. La Nación, 29 Jun 2020
Qualified teams Team Previous finals app. Boca Juniors 1923, 1929, 1970, 1976, 1990–91, 2006 San Lorenzo 1936, 1968, 1971, 1972 Tigre (none)
Venues Buenos Aires Avellaneda José Amalfitani Stadium Estadio Presidente Perón Capacity: 49,540 Capacity: 55,880
Background
Matches
First round
GK 1 Daniel Islas DF 14 Pablo Jerez DF 23 Norberto Paparatto DF 3 Juan Carlos Blengio DF 6 Rodolfo Arruabarrena MF 17 Matías Giménez MF 5 Diego Castaño MF 18 Sebastián Rusculleda MF 10 Martín Morel FW 15 Leonel Altobelli FW 7 Carlos LunaSubstitutes: MF 15 Sebastián Rosano FW 9 Leandro Lázzaro FW 11 Néstor Ayala GK 27 Luis Ardente DF 29 Pablo Fontanello DF 2 Damián Leyes DF 4 José San Román MF 8 Jonathan BlancoManager: Diego Cagna GK 1 Agustín Orión DF 2 Adrián González DF 20 Gastón Aguirre DF 16 Nicolás Bianchi Arce DF 11 Aureliano Torres MF 10 Pablo Barrientos MF 28 Cristian Ledesma MF 4 Juan Manuel Torres MF 6 Santiago Solari FW 7 Andrés Silvera FW 15 Gonzalo Bergessio Substitutes: FW 18 Santiago Hirsig MF 19 Juan Carlos Menseguez FW 22 Cristian G. Chávez GK 12 Nereo Champagne DF 30 Fernando Meza DF 3 Germán Voboril MF 32 Salvador ReynosoManager: Miguel Ángel Russo
Second round
GK 1 Agustín Orión DF 2 Adrián González DF 20 Gastón Aguirre DF 16 Nicolás Bianchi Arce DF 11 Aureliano Torres MF 10 Pablo Barrientos MF 28 Cristian Ledesma MF 4 Juan Manuel Torres MF 6 Santiago Solari FW 7 Andrés Silvera FW 15 Gonzalo Bergessio Substitutes: FW 18 Santiago Hirsig FW 22 Cristian G. Chávez GK 12 Nereo Champagne DF 30 Fernando Meza DF 3 Germán Voboril MF 32 Salvador ReynosoManager: Miguel Ángel Russo GK 12 Javier García DF 4 Hugo Ibarra DF 2 Julio César Cáceres DF 6 Juan Forlín DF 3 Claudio Morel MF 22 Fabián Vargas MF 5 Sebastián Battaglia MF 23 Jesús Dátolo MF 10 Román Riquelme FW 18 Luciano Figueroa FW 27 Lucas Viatri Substitutes: DF 13 Facundo Roncaglia MF 21 Cristian M. Chávez FW 14 Rodrigo Palacio GK 25 Josué Ayala MF 15 Álvaro González DF 33 Ezequiel Muñoz MF 28 Nicolás Gaitán FW 17 Ricardo Noir FW 7 Pablo MoucheManager: Carlos Ischia
Third round
GK 12 Javier García DF 4 Hugo Ibarra DF 13 Facundo Roncaglia DF 2 Julio César Cáceres DF 3 Claudio Morel MF 21 Cristian Manuel Chávez MF 5 Sebastián Battaglia MF 23 Jesús Dátolo MF 11 Leandro Gracián FW 18 Luciano Figueroa FW 27 Lucas Viatri Substitutes: GK 25 Josué Ayala MF 15 Álvaro González FW 14 Rodrigo Palacio DF 33 Ezequiel Muñoz MF 24 Exequiel Benavídez MF 28 Nicolás Gaitán FW 17 Ricardo NoirManager: Carlos Ischia GK 1 Daniel Islas DF 27 Luis Ardente DF 14 Pablo Jerez DF 23 Norberto Paparatto DF 6 Rodolfo Arruabarrena MF 15 Sebastián Rosano MF 17 Matías Giménez MF 10 Martín Morel MF 8 Jonathan Blanco FW 7 Carlos Luna FW 9 Leandro LázzaroSubstitutes: FW 31 Mauro Villegas FW 15 Leonel Altobelli FW 18 Sebastián Rusculleda GK 21 Lucas Abud DF 29 Pablo Fontanello DF 2 Damián Leyes DF 4 José San RománManager: Diego Cagna
Standings
References