Riquelme Free-Kick Sends Boca Top, River Held In Simeone Farewell

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Juan Roman Riquelme celebrates a key goal for Boca Juniors

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Boca Juniors worked extremely hard for a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Arsenal de Sarandi on Sunday. The win sees Boca join San Lorenzo at the top of the table with 29 points, with only five matches remaining this season.

Carlos Ischia's side have struggled against Arsenal in recent years, and although they fought very hard, they were unable to find their top form during the match. It was a very highly disputed encounter, with both teams creating their fair share of opportunities to break the deadlock.

As the minutes ticked away in the second half, it seemed that both teams would end up settling for a frustrating goalless draw, however, in second half injury time Juan Roman Riquelme appeared with an exquisite free-kick that earned Boca three valuable points. Last week Riquelme gave Boca a 1-0 win over San Lorenzo with another trademark free-kick.

Earlier on Sunday, San Lorenzo edged out Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy 2-1 at the Nuevo Gasometro. Aureliano Torres put San Lorenzo ahead in the 46th minute, but the visitors drew level in the 73rd minute through Pablo Calandria. However, Miguel Angel Russo's side pushed forward in large numbers towards the end of the match, and they were rewarded for their approach when Gonzalo Bergessio slid in a left wing cross in the 83rd minute to give them a vital win.

In Diego Simeone's farewell match, River Plate came from three goals behind in the first half to rescue a 3-3 draw with Huracan at the Monumental stadium. Hernan Barcos gave Huracan a two-goal lead (4' & 31') and three minutes later (34') Hugo Barrientos added their third.

But River never gave up and in the second half they scored three times to force a well-deserved draw. Matias Albelairas pulled a goal back with a brilliant free-kick (50'), Radamel Falcao Garcia converted a penalty kick (68') and Eduardo Tuzzio scored their equalizer (76') with a header from a corner kick. The Monumental crowd, who turned out in large number farewelled Simeone in the greatest possible manner.

While Racing Club moved up to seventh place after a comfortable 2-0 victory over San Martin in Tucuman. Jose Luis Fernandez (1') and Franco Peppino (30') scored Racing's goals in the first half.

On Saturday, Tigre could only afford a 2-2 draw away at Colon de Santa Fe, a result that severely dents their title aspirations this season. Rodolfo Arruabarrena (31') and Martin Morel (79') scored for Tigre, while Esteban Fuertes (7') and Ruben Ramirez (90') scored for Colon.

As well as this, the in-form Estudiantes de La Plata beat Independiente 1-0, their crosstown rivals Gimnasia de La Plata won 2-0 at Velez Sarsfield, and Godoy Cruz and Argentinos Juniors shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Finally on Friday night, Banfield edged Newell's Old Boys 2-1 at the Florencia Sola, and Lanus climbed into fourth position after coming from behind to defeat Rosario Central 2-1 at the Gigante de Arroyito.

Argentine Apertura Championship: Round 14 Results

November 7 (Friday)

Rosario Central 1 - 2 Lanus  

Banfield 2 - 1 Newell's Old Boys  

November 8 (Saturday)

Colon de Santa Fe 2 - 2 Tigre  

Godoy Cruz 1 - 1 Argentinos Juniors  

Velez Sarsfield 0 - 2 Gimnasia de La Plata  

Estudiantes de La Plata 1 - 0 Independiente  

November 9 (Sunday)

San Lorenzo 2 - 1 Gimnasia de Jujuy

Arsenal de Sarandi 0 - 1 Boca Juniors  

River Plate 3 - 3 Huracan  

San Martin de Tucuman 0 - 2 Racing Club

Gregory Sica