Boca Juniors back to top in Argentina

Boca Juniors back to top in Argentina

Published Aug. 26, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Boca Juniors are back on top in Argentina's first division after a 2-1 victory over Union.

Nicolas Blandi scored the winner for Boca late in the second half on Saturday. Rolando Schiavi scored in the 18th minute for Boca with Nicolas Correa scoring early in the second half for Union.

Boca has nine points from four matches. Four clubs have eight points: Arsenal, Quilmes, Racing and Newell's.

Off the field, the head of a Boca hooligan faction was in stable but critical condition on Sunday after being shot in a gun battle with a rival Boca gang, the state-run Telam news agency reported.

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Hospital officials in Rosario, located northwest of Buenos Aires, identified the shooting victim as Mauro Martin. Officials said he was hit in the abdomen in a shootout on Saturday before the match.

Four other gang members were also shot but were not in a life-threatening condition.

Hooligan violence plagues almost every top club in Argentina, and confrontations are commonplace between rival gangs who vie for control of lucrative concessions around the stadiums.

In Sunday matches it was: Belgrano 0, Newell's 0; San Martin 0, Velez 3; Rafaela 1, Quilmes 1; Lanus 1, Racing 1; River Plate 0, San Lorenzo 0.

Gino Peruzzi, Francisco Cerro and Federico Insua scored in Velez's lopsided victory.

Facundo Diz scored in second-half injury time to rally Quilmes to the draw, while Ivan Juarez scored in the 36th for Rafaela.

Gonzalo Castillejos put Lanus ahead in the 44th, but Gabriel notched the equalizer for Racing in the 66th.

In other weekend matches it was: All Boys 2, Tigre 2; Argentinos Junior 2, Godoy Cruz 1; Independiente 0, Arsenal 2.

Estudiantes play Colon on Monday.
 

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