Buenos Aires, Argentina: A goal by Emmanuel Gigliotti was enough for Boca Juniors to defeat Buenos Aires archrival River Plate 1-0 on Sunday in Argentina's first division.
Gigliotti scored in the 23rd minute before a sellout at River Plate's Monumental Stadium. For security reasons, the game was played with only home fans in attendance, the rule in force now in Argentina as a way to control hooligan violence.
Boca improved to 19 points with the victory, four points behind leader Newell's Old Boys and one behind San Lorenzo has 20. River Plate has 14.
It was a dour game for both clubs, and it may have been costly for Boca. Often-injured midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme left in the 58th minute with a knee injury, replaced by Gonzalo Escalante.
"For us it was very important to win," Riquelme said. "This is what we wanted."
He described the knee injury as "no big deal."
In games on Saturday: Olimpo 1, Estudiantes 1; Quilmes 0, Newell's 2; San Lorenzo 0, Tigre 0. On Friday: Argentinos Juniors 1, Belgrano 0.
Four games are set for Monday: Colon vs. Arsenal; Godoy Cruz vs. All Boys; Gimnasia LP vs. Velez Sarsfield; Rosario Central vs. Lanus.
