Boca Juniors vs. River Plate: Final score 1-2, first Bombonera win in a decade for the visitors

River Plate have won a league match at La Bombonera for the first time in a decade, surging up the Argentine Primera table in the process. Their title chase might have been sparked to life by Sunday’s 2-1 win, while Boca Juniors’ disappointing season has hit a new low.

There was heavy rain in Buenos Aires before the game, turning the pitch at La Bombonera into a giant lake. But the grounds crew was able to do enough to get the pitch playable before the match, though it was slow and had muddy patches by the time the game ended.

The first half had plenty of chances for both teams, but no goal. Marcelo Barovero came up with a big save on Juan Manuel Martinez in the 12th minute and River had a pair of chances not long after, with Cristian Ledesma failing to connect on a dangerous diagonal in the 19th minute and Teofilo Gutierrez heading a great chance over in the 21st. Martinez struck again in the 24th and forced another save, hitting a powerful header, but directing it right into Barovero’s stomach.

Chances were few and far between after that until the 58th minute, when Manuel Lanzini fired River ahead. He took a very heavy touch on a square ball by Gutierrez and appeared to squander the opportunity, but recovered brilliantly to get onto the end of the ball before Agustin Orion could claim it, chipping over him and into the back of the net.

Ten minutes later, Boca responded through predictable means, with Juan Roman Riquelme scoring a brilliant characteristic free kick. From 20 yards, he curled a perfect shot over the wall and into the top corner, keeping Barovero rooted to his line the whole time.

Boca surprisingly took Riquelme off, seemingly content with a draw, and were made to pay for it in the 86th minute. Their marking was terrible on a corner into the head of Ramiro Funes Mori, who rose up and directed the ball into the top corner. It would have been tough to save for Orion if he was in the right spot, but he was caught flailing at the initial ball that Funes Mori’s head met.

Boca Juniors: Orion, Insua, Forlin, Grana, Diaz, Gago, Miño (Acosta 66’), Erbes, Riquelme (Colazo 84’), Martinez, Gigliotti

Goals: Riquelme (68’)

River Plate: Barovero, Mercado, Balanta, Funes Mori, Maidana, Carbonero, Rojas (Kranevitter 75’), Ledesma, Lanzini, Cavenaghi (Solari 90’), Gutierrez (Villalva 72’)

Goals: Lanzini (58’), Funes Mori (86’)