Alvarez double sinks Boca Juniors as River Plate go top

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BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) — Julian Alvarez scored a superb brace as River Plate moved to the top of Argentina’s Primera Division on Sunday with a 2-1 home win over 10-man Boca Juniors.

Boca suffered a major blow in the 16th minute at the Monumental stadium when former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo was sent off for a second bad foul in as many minutes.

River needed less than 10 minutes to capitalize on their numerical advantage as Alvarez sent a spectacular 25-yard drive in off the underside of the crossbar.

The 21-year-old Argentina international forward doubled the hosts’ lead just before half-time by connecting with a Santiago Simon cross at the near post and deftly side-footing an angled shot past goalkeeper Agustin Rossi.

Alvarez has seven goals in 11 league matches this campaign and is sure to attract the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs in the January transfer window.

Boca pulled a goal back in the 93rd minute when Carlos Zambrano headed in following an Aaron Molinas corner.

River have now won four consecutive Primera Division fixtures and are unbeaten in their past nine. Marcelo Gallardo’s men have 30 points from 14 games this season, one point ahead of second-placed Talleres Cordoba, who have a game in hand.

In other Argentine top-flight fixtures on Sunday, Sarmiento won 1-0 at Gimnasia La Plata, Argentinos Juniors prevailed 1-0 at Rosario Central and Estudiantes drew 1-1 at Racing Club.

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