River Plate draws 1-1 with Boca in Superclasico

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Second-half substitute German Pezzella scored in the 79th minute to give River Plate a 1-1 draw against 10-man Boca Juniors in a downpour on Sunday in the Superclasico between bitter Buenos Aires rivals.

Lisandro Magallan scored in the 22nd for Boca, which played with 10 men after Fernando Gago was sent off late in the first half on a straight red card.

Pezzella scored just minutes after coming on, chipping in a rebound to level the score.

River also finished with 10 men when Funes Mori was sent off a few minutes from the end.

The game was played in terrible conditions at River's Monumental stadium. All-day rain left the pitch full of puddles, with players and the bouncing ball producing large splashes at every touch.

River kept its lead in the Argentine first division with 22 points in 10 matches. Independiente trails by four with Boca eight behind the leaders.

In other matches on Sunday, Estudiantes defeated Olimpo 2-1, and Quilmes drew 1-1 against Newell's.

River's Rodrigo Mora missed a penalty in the 44th when his attempt sailed high over the crossbar.

Gago's red card came when he was called for a handball in the area. However, a television replay indicated he did not touch the ball with his hand.

River was unable to capitalize on the one-man advantage until the end with the pitch taking on more water, making play difficult in what was a poor-quality match.

A security force of about 3,000 was deployed for the match, hoping to stem problems inside and outside the stadium in the leafy Buenos Aires suburb of Nunez. There were no immediate reports of problems.