River Plate vs. Boca Juniors, 2012 Super Clasico: Halftime score 1-0, hosts lead on brilliant free kick

River Plate lead the Super Clasico at halftime, but injuries have compromised their ability to change the game. The hosts have already been forced to make two substitutions due to injuries, but lead Boca Juniors 1-0 thanks to a brilliant free kick.

Leonardo Ponzio scored just two minutes into the game on a free kick, after Emiliano Albin took down Rodrigo Mori 25 yards from goal. Ponzio curled an incredible shot over the wall and fooled Boca goalkeeper Agustín Orion, bending the ball into the near post and setting off the crowd at the Monumental.

Unfortunately, Mori suffered an injury on that foul and had to come out of the game. River were also hit with an injury to Martin Aguirre later in the half, and had to substitute him off as well.

River have been the better side, even with those injury problems, and Boca have only managed a couple of half chances. They continue to miss the creativity of Juan Roman Riquelme, and might have to turn to 18-year-old star Leandro Paredes in the second half.