Independiente are four points away from winning Argentina’s opening championship after a 1-0 win over Union, thanks to a 14th-minute goal from midfielder Lucas Pusineri.

Independiente have 39 points, six more than nearest rivals Boca Juniors, with three games remaining. Boca remain the closest challengers after a 1-0 away win over Arsenal, but their Buenos Aires rivals River Plate were beaten 2-1 at home by Lanus.

River’s defeat will intensify calls for Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini to be sacked to make way for the return of Ramon Diaz, who steered River to the closing championship last season.