Estudiantes beat Boca Juniors to win title

Estudiantes came from behind to beat defending champions Boca Juniors 2-1 in a play-off match to win the Argentine championship for the first time in 23 years on Wednesday.

Striker Mariano Pavone headed the winner nine minutes from time as Estudiantes completed a remarkable homecoming for midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron and gave Diego Simeone a major title less than one year into his coaching career.

Boca, aiming for their third successive title, took a fourth-minute lead through Martin Palermo but then sat back and Jose Sosa equalised in the 65th minute.

Both teams finished with 10 men after Boca forward Pablo Ledesma and Estudiantes defender Pablo Alvarez kicked each other and were sent off in the 39th minute.

The game went to a play-off after the two teams finished the regular campaign in the Apertura championship with 44 points from 19 games.

La Volpe to resign

Defeat was a bitter blow for Boca and coach Ricardo La Volpe who, needing a point from their last two regular games to win the title, lost them both before failing in the playoff as well.

La Volpe said he would resign after his side's loss to Estudiantes.

"I have to present my resignation because we didn't achieve our target," La Volpe told Argentine television as soon as the match finished.

Boca Juniors president Mauricio Macri, who had previously backed the coach, said he had not been officially informed of La Volpe's decision.

"I still haven't spoken to Ricardo, nor have I seen him," said Macri.

"We didn't win the title but we congratulate Estudiantes because they have done a great job."

La Volpe, who coached Mexico at the World Cup, took over in September and inherited a team that had won all before it under predecessor Alfio Basile.

Estudiantes's campaign, which included a run of 10 straight wins, was inspired by former Manchester United, Lazio and Inter midfielder Veron, who returned home in July to play for the club he supported as a boy.

Simeone also took over in July, having ended his playing career with Racing Club in February where he coached briefly.