Argentine Primera División 2004–05 Season Review
The 2004–05 Argentine Primera División marked the 114th season of top-flight football in Argentina. Spanning from August 15, 2004, to July 3, 2005, the campaign was characterized by a split-season format consisting of two separate championships: the Apertura (Opening) and the Clausura (Closing). Over the course of 380 matches, the league witnessed a battle for continental qualification and a fierce struggle to avoid relegation.
The season welcomed four newly promoted teams from the Primera B Nacional: Instituto de Córdoba and Almagro, who entered as champions and runners-up respectively, alongside Argentinos Juniors and Huracán de Tres Arroyos, both of whom secured their spots via promotion playoffs.
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Key Facts
- Apertura Champion: Newell's Old Boys (their 5th title).
- Clausura Champion: Vélez Sársfield (their 6th title).
- Top Goalscorers: Lisandro López (Apertura) and Mariano Pavone (Clausura).
- Relegated Teams: Huracán de Tres Arroyos and Almagro.
- Total Matches Played: 380.
Torneo Apertura 2004
The Apertura tournament took place between August 13 and December 12, 2004. Newell's Old Boys emerged victorious, securing their 5th league title with 36 points from 19 matches. They finished narrowly ahead of Vélez Sársfield and River Plate.
Apertura Performance Highlights
The tournament saw a variety of dominant performances, including Boca Juniors' 6–0 victory over Vélez on September 22, which stood as the biggest home win. Conversely, Arsenal achieved the biggest away win by defeating GELP 3–0 on November 28. Racing's Lisandro López led the scoring charts with 12 goals.
Torneo Clausura 2005
The Clausura tournament ran from February 11 to July 3, 2005. Vélez Sársfield claimed the championship, earning their 6th title with a commanding 39 points. They were followed by Banfield and Racing in the final standings.
Clausura Performance Highlights
The Clausura was marked by high-scoring affairs, most notably a 5–2 victory for River Plate over Almagro. Lanús recorded the biggest home win with a 6–0 rout of Almagro, while Colón secured the biggest away win with a 5–0 victory over the same opponent. Mariano Pavone of Estudiantes (LP) was the season's most prolific striker with 16 goals.
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Continental Qualification and Relegation
Performance across the season determined entry into South America's most prestigious competitions. Newell's Old Boys, Vélez Sársfield, River Plate, Estudiantes LP, and Rosario Central qualified for the 2006 Copa Libertadores. Meanwhile, the 2005 Copa Sudamericana saw participation from Newell's Old Boys, Vélez Sársfield, Estudiantes LP, Rosario Central, and Banfield.
Relegation in the Argentine league is determined by a points average system over three seasons. Despite their efforts, Huracán de Tres Arroyos and Almagro finished at the bottom of the average table and were relegated to the Primera B Nacional. Argentinos Juniors and Instituto managed to maintain their top-flight status after winning their respective promotion playoff series against Atlético de Rafaela and Huracán.
Season Summary Table
| Category | Torneo Apertura | Torneo Clausura |
|---|---|---|
| Champion | Newell's Old Boys | Vélez Sársfield |
| Top Scorer | Lisandro López (12) | Mariano Pavone (16) |
| Biggest Win | Boca 6–0 Vélez | Lanús 6–0 Almagro |
| Dates | Aug 13 – Dec 12, 2004 | Feb 11 – Jul 3, 2005 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2004–05 Argentine Primera División?
The season had two champions: Newell's Old Boys won the Apertura tournament, and Vélez Sársfield won the Clausura tournament.
Which players were the top scorers of the season?
Lisandro López of Racing was the top scorer in the Apertura with 12 goals, while Mariano Pavone of Estudiantes (LP) led the Clausura with 16 goals.
How were the relegated teams decided?
Relegation was decided based on a points average (promedios) calculated over three seasons. Huracán de Tres Arroyos and Almagro had the lowest averages and were relegated.
Which teams qualified for the 2006 Copa Libertadores?
The teams that qualified were Newell's Old Boys, Vélez Sársfield, River Plate, Estudiantes LP, and Rosario Central.
Who were the promoted teams at the start of the season?
The four promoted teams were Instituto de Córdoba, Almagro, Argentinos Juniors, and Huracán de Tres Arroyos.