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Soccer-Boca held in thriller, Newell's win derby

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-05-07 09:20

BUENOS AIRES, - Boca Juniors were held to a 3-3 draw by Argentinos Juniors in the Argentine championship on May 6 as they failed to make the most of a slip-up by leaders San Lorenzo.

Former Argentina midfielder Cristian Gonzalez missed a penalty as Rosario Central lost 1-0 to local rivals Newell's Old Boys and Gimnasia-La Plata slumped to another defeat under Colombian coach Francisco Maturana.

San Lorenzo's shock 2-1 defeat at Velez Sarsfield on Saturday had given Boca the chance to close the gap to one point.

But, in a thrilling match in which they came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, Boca had to be content with a point.

Uruguayan striker Choy Gonzalez headed Argentinos in front from Leonel Nunez's cross in the 19th minute and Nunez himself added the second six minutes later, also from a header.

Forward Neri Cardozo began the fightback by scoring from long range in the 31st minute, before striker Martin Palermo equalised just before the hour with a shot on the turn.

Boca went ahead in the 65th minute when right back Hugo Ibarra scored with a fierce left-foot shot but Gonzalez had the final word when he scored with another header in the 73rd minute.

San Lorenzo stayed top with 31 points from 13 games, while Boca and defending champions Estudiantes, who won 2-1 at Nueva Chicago on Friday, are three points behind.

River held

Newell's Old Boys won the Rosario derby -- one of the biggest fixtures of the Argentine season -- thanks to a 68th-minute goal from Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo which went in off the post.

Five minutes later, former Valencia and Inter Milan midfielder Gonzalez had his penalty saved by Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Gimnasia-La Plata slumped to their third straight defeat under former Colombia coach Maturana when they lost 2-1 to Godoy Cruz, where Juan Herbella scored the winner with seven minutes left.

Enzo Perez had put Godoy Cruz ahead in the 32nd minute and Santiago Silva gave Gimansia hope by scoring from a penalty four minutes later.

River Plate and Independiente continued their indifferent campaigns by playing out a poor 1-1 draw.

Defender Augusto Fernandez put River ahead in the 18th minute but was later sent off for a second bookable offence.

Independiente, who had Guillermo Rodriguez sent off, replied with a Gaston Machin goal in the 51st minute.

River are fifth, six points behind San Lorenzo, while Independiente are 15th with 13 points.