River Plate moved within a point of Apertura leaders Boca Juniors on Sunday, with a 3 – 1 win at El Monumental.
River jumped ahead in the 30th when Gonzalo Higuain back-heeled a deflected shot, but the lead was short-lived as it seemed only to incite visitors.
Boca drew even just two minutes later when Rodrigo Palacio took a lovely pass from Fernando Gago, left his marker for dead, and fired a fantastic strike inside the far post.
But then it seemed to be River’s turn to push forward and within minutes, the hosts had two chances to take the lead.
The battle was on as Boca countered and nearly jumped ahead on three different chances, the last being an incredible weave by Palacio through the River defense. But the striker’s cross was just out of Martin Palermo’s reach and the teams were even at the half.
The break was long as River made Boca wait nearly ten minutes for the restart. The trick appeared to work as River immediately went at the Boca left side.
It seemed only a matter of time and in the 53rd minute the Boca defense was caught out. Fernando Belluschi beautifully played-in Higuain who rounded keeper Aldo Bobadilla to fired home his second.
But again, the River goal only served to ignite a Boca charge and two minutes later the Apertura leaders hit the bar twice in a matter of seconds. But this time, there would be no equalizer.
River sealed it in the 68th as Ernesto Farias was finally rewarded for his fine performance. Again it was midfielder Belluschi picking apart the Boca back-line as his lovely through-ball cut right into the heart of the Xeneizes defense. Bobadilla was caught in no-man’s-land and Farias tucked under the keeper as El Monumental erupted.
In the final twenty minutes Boca pressed forward and River could have scored no less than two more on the counter, but it would end at 3 – 1 with Boca down to 10 men after the 75th.
Questions will surely be asked of new manager Ricardo LaVolpe as Boca have now stumbled since he has taken charge.
In the Apertura, Boca has now been drawn by Godoy Cruz, were fortunate to overcome a two-goal deficit to Velez Sarsfield, and now have lost to River Plate.
In the Copa Sudamericana, Boca lost their first-leg knockout stage match to Nacional of Uruguay.
Argentina Apertura Results 08.10.06
Related:
Fernando Gago, Boca Juniors Star Is Real Madrid Target – 04.10.06
Palacio Goal, Boca Juniors v Velez Sarsfield, 01.10.06 GOLAZO! – 03.10.06
Boca Juniors Unbelievable 3 – 2 Comeback Win Against Velez Sarsfield – 02.10.06
Boca Juniors Drop First Leg Match to Nacional 2 – 1 – 29.09.06
Boca Juniors’ Officials Consider Replacing La Bombonera – 27.09.06
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