River edge Boca 2-1 in pulsating Argentine 'Superclasico'

BUENOS AIRES :River Plate secured a hard-fought 2-1 home win over Boca Juniors in a tense 'Superclasico' in Argentina's Primera Division Apertura competition on Sunday to claim bragging rights over their arch rivals.

Seventeen-year-old striker Franco Mastantuono opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a spectacular effort, curling a left-footed free kick into the bottom corner of Agustin Marchesin's net.

Boca hit back through Miguel Merentiel, who capitalised on a defensive error by German Pezzella on a swift counter-attack to slot his sixth goal of the season in the 38th minute.

However, River's relentless high press paid off when Sebastian Driussi restored the hosts' advantage with an incisive close-range finish on the stroke of halftime after his header rebounded off Marchesin.

Already assured of a place in the last 16, Boca remain top of Group A on 32 points, two clear of Argentinos Juniors. River stay third in Group B on 28 points, level on points with second-placed Independiente, who have two games in hand.