River, Boca draw in rain-soaked Super Clasico

A late striker from substitute German Pezzella earned River Plate a controversial 1-1 draw against rivals Boca Juniors in Argentina's Primera Division football.

Pezzella netted from close range with just 12 minutes remaining after Lisandro Magallan gave Boca a first-half lead at the rain-soaked Monumental Stadium here Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Boca were forced to play the entire second-half with 10 men after Fernando Gago was dismissed for handball on the stroke of halftime. But replays showed the former Real Madrid midfielder had cleared Ariel Rojas' long-range effort with his head. Some semblance of justice was served when Rodrigo Mora sent the resultant penalty kick over the bar.

The quality of play deteriorated as the match progressed after heavy rain left parts of the pitch submerged in water. Despite River's numerical advantage, Boca defended resolutely and looked on target for a memorable victory.

But Pezzella broke the visitors' resistance two minutes after being introduced by coach Marcelo Gallardo. The 23-year-old tapped in from close range after his initial tame header from Ramiro Mori's long pass was fumbled by goalkeeper Agustin Orion.

The hosts were also reduced to 10 men in six minutes from time when Mori was shown a straight red card for a crude challenge on Marcelo Meli. But River held on to keep their undefeated record this term intact.

The result left River, league leaders, on 22 points, with a four-point buffer over second-placed Independiente, while Boca are a further four points adrift.