Argentinian classic ends undecided

October 26, 2009

The Argentinian classic between River Plate and Boca Juniors ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that helps neither side at this point.

At only a few spots from the relegation zone, most of the pressure was on River to deliver a good performance in this match. Boca on the other hand, needed a win to limit the gap with the top of the Argentinian Primera Division.

River Plate were first to find the net at their own Estadio Monumental, with Marcelo Gallardo beating Boca keeper Abbondanzieri after 39 minutes.

Both teams had a player sent off in the first minutes of the second half. River’s Cristian Villagra conceded a second yellow card in minute 46, and Julio Caceres of Boca followed with a direct red card four minutes later.

Three minutes after the hour mark, it was former Villarreal player Martin Palermo to level the score for Boca.

The draw leaves Boca in tenth place at five points from joint leaders Estudiantes, Banfield and Newell’s Old Boys, while River Plate are in 16th place with just seven points from ten games.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: abbondanzieri, argentinian primera division, banfield, boca juniors, cristian, Cristian Villagra, Estadio, Estudiantes, first minutes, five points, four minutes, gallardo, julio caceres, marcelo, martin palermo, newell, old boys, pressure, relegation zone, river plate, roorda, seven points, three minutes, villagra, yellow card

Boca and River win in Argentina

August 31, 2009

Both Boca Juniors and River Plate made up for disappointing starts, beating Lanus and Chacarita Juniors respectively.

Boca Juniors visited Lanus and went ahead through Julio Caceres in the 17th minute. Agustin Pelletieri levelled five minutes later but a header from former Villarreal player Martin Palermo secured Boca’s victory in minute 70.

River Plate’s win over Chacarita Juniors was hard-fought. The Buenos Aires outfit scored the opening goal through Diego Buonanotte in the fifth minute, but had that goal cancelled out by Gustavo Alustiza in the 22nd.

Cabral then made it 2-1 in the 32nd minute but Alustiza again equalised just before the break, for Facundo Parra to make it 2-3 eight minutes after the interval.

River had enough energy left however. Daniel Villalba levelled eight minutes after the hour and the 35-year-old veteran Ariel Ortega made it 4-3 with two minutes to go at the Monumental Stadium.

Jonathan Roorda