The first leg of the Copa Libertadores with a Superclásico spin did not disappoint as bitter Argentine rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors dueled to a 2-2 tie on Sunday.
Even after a storm had pushed back the much-awaited final debut back one day, there was no sense of hangover at Boca’s La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The home team opened up the scoring in the 34th minute Sunday when Boca’s Ramon Abila shot through a goal into the top-left corner of the net. It only took two minutes, however, as River Plate’s Lucas Pratto rolled through the equalizer to make it 1-1.
Boca’s talented forward Dario Benedetto scored right before the end of the half to give Los Xeneizes a one-goal advantage at the half.
River Plate was helped in the 61st minute from an own-goal committed by Carlos Izquierdoz of Boca. Izuierdoz was trying to defend Pratto from scoring a second goal when he jumped up to knock the ball away, only to see it go into his own goal.
Benedetto had another shot at giving Boca Juniors the lead heading towards the second leg, but his admirable try was blocked by River Plate goalie Franco Armani.
The second leg will be played on Nov. 24 from River Plate’s home stadium of Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti.
