Football

Teenage striker Gonzalo Higuain scored twice as River Plate beat arch-rivals and leaders Boca Juniors 3-1 on Sunday in the biggest match of the Argentine season.

River also ended Boca's run of 22 domestic games without defeat and moved into second place in the Apertura championship, one point behind their opponents, as the competition reached the halfway mark.

The match pitted two teammates from Argentina's 1978 World Cup winning team against each other on the touchline -- River coach Daniel Passarella and his Boca counterpart Ricardo La Volpe.

Passarella captained the team and La Volpe, who coached Mexico at this year's World Cup, was reserve goalkeeper.

Higuain, 18, put River ahead in the 29th minute, firing home after a series of rebounds.

Boca levelled two minutes later when Fernando Gago found Rodrigo Palacio, who outfoxed his marker and fired into the roof of the net.

River went back in front in the 53rd minute when Fernando Belluschi set up Higuain who took his chance with aplomb.

Belluschi also set up the third in the 67th minute, providing a perfect pass to Ernesto Farias who slipped the ball past the advancing Aldo Bobadilla.

Boca, whose day was complete when defender Matias Silvestre was sent off in the 74th minute for a second bookable offence, lead with 22 points from nine matches, while River have 21 from ten.

Estudiantes, coached by former Argentina captain Diego Simeone, overcame the absence of suspended

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midfielder Juan Sebastian to win 3-0 at Lanus and go third with 19 points.

Mariano Pavone scored twice early in the second half and set up the third for Peruvian Juan Cominges.

Arsenal (18 points) went fourth by beating Quilmes 2-1, thanks to a spectacular effort from Lucas Valdemarin who volleyed home a cross from Ugandan midfielder Ibrahim Sekagya in the 87th minute.

Independiente's chances suffered a severe blow when Jorge Burruchaga's team lost 3-1 at Godoy Cruz, who recorded their first win of the competition at the ninth attempt.

Mauro Poy put Godoy Cruz ahead in the 39th minute before Hernan Bujan and David Villar pounced on poor defending to make it 3-0 early in the second half at Mendoza's Malvinas Argentinas stadium.

Daniel Montenegro scored Independiente's consolation with his eighth goal of the competition.

Independiente (16 points) dropped to sixth and were overtaken by their neighbours and bitter rivals Racing Club, who beat Colon 2-1 to go fifth.