Boca salvages draw with River Plate

Published Oct. 28, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Walter Erviti scored close to fulltime Sunday to rescue a 2-2 draw for Boca Juniors against River Plate in the Superclasico, the seasonal showdown between Argentina's two most famous clubs.

Erviti chipped the ball in from close range when River goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero misjudged another shot, giving the player an opening in added time.

Leonardo Ponzio scored after only 90 seconds and Rodrgio Mora added another in 70th minute as River Plate took a 2-0 lead. Santiago Silva scored for Boca with a 76th-minute penalty in front of a sellout crowd at River's Monumental stadium.

Boca is now seven points behind leader Newell's Old Boys. River Plate is 10 off the pace.

''Thankfully, we were able to get an important point,'' said Erviti, whose goal deflated the morale of 50,000 River fans.

There seemed to be no major incidents of violence after the match, although several Boca fans as they left the stadium were struck by objects apparently thrown by River fans.

The draw may do little to help Boca coach Julio Falcioni and River counterpart Matias Almeyda.

Falcioni is unpopular among many Boca fans, and River is always in danger of relegation after spending last season in the second division.

In late matches on Sunday, Belgrano defeated Union 1-0, and Lanus downed Argentinos Juniors 1-0.

On Monday, it's: Godoy Cruz vs. Colon and Tigre vs. Independiente.

In results on Saturday, it was: San Lorenzo 2, Quilmes 2; San Martin 1, Atletico Rafaela 2; Estudiantes 0, All Boys 1; Newell's 2, Arsenal 1; Velez 1, Racing 0.

Ponzio scored from a 30-meter (yard) free kick that beat goalkeeper Agustin Orion. The free kick fooled Orion, who was late moving to his right and watched the ball bounce once and go into his net just inside the post.

River Plate was more threatening for the first 20 minutes with David Trezeguet, playing in his first Superclasico, coming close in the 12th minute with a volley from a corner.

River was quicker recovering loose balls and played with more intensity in the first half, limiting Boca to few chances and little sustained possession.

Boca came out more aggressively in the second half, winning the ball in midfield and pressuring River.

Against the run of play, River made it 2-0 when Rodrigo Mora took a perfectly weighted pass and stepped around Orion to fire the ball in from a sharp angle.

''We leave with a bitter taste,'' River player Carlos Sanchez said. ''We did everything to leave with a victory.''