River Plate returns to the 'Monumental'

Published Nov. 13, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Historic Argentine club River Plate made an undistinguished return to its home stadium on Sunday, falling 2-0 to Atletico Tucuman in a second-division match.

River had not played a home match in Monumental Stadium in almost three months, part of a home-ground ban placed on the club following its demotion to the second division in June.

The relegation sparked riots and running street fights between police and local hooligans, the low-water mark in the 110-year history of the club. River has won 33 first-division titles, 10 more than archrival Boca Juniors.

Despite Sunday's loss, River has 26 points and shares the second-division lead with two other clubs.

River must finish in the top two at the end of the 38-game season to clinch an automatic promotion spot. Third or fourth position will mean a playoff against a team from the top flight.

Luis Rodriguez gave Atletico Tucuman a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute, finishing off a counterattack with a left-foot shot just inside the far post

Cesar Montiglio made it 2-0 in the 23rd.

In the only first-division match of the weekend, All Boys defeated San Lorenzo 1-0 on Saturday.

Boca Juniors lead the top flight with 32 points in 14 matches, eight ahead of Racing and nine in front of Lanus and Atletico de Rafaela. Boca is a strong favorite to win its first league title since 2008.