BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -River Plate beat Gimnasia y Esgrima 4-2 Sunday to stay at the top of the Argentine league on goal difference, and Estudiantes kept pace with a 1-0 victory over Boca Juniors.
River and Estudiantes both improved to 30 points, three points ahead of Velez and San Lorenzo with five games remaining. Boca and Independiente share fifth place with 26 points.
River twice rallied from a one-goal deficit with two goals from Matias Abelairas, including the eventual winner early in the second half.
Abelairas matched Ignacio Piatti's left-footed strike in the 26th with one of his own 10 minutes later. Juan Neira restored Gimnasia's lead in the 40th, converting from a corner kick, but Albairas set up Diego Buonanotte in the 50th minute and then scored his second three minutes later.
Gimnasia's chances at recovering were set back when defender Alvaro Ormeno was expelled for rough play in the 58th minute and Ariel Ortega added the clincher in the 75th.
Estudiantes beat Boca off a late header by Ezequiel Maggiolo in the 76th minute, striking from inside the area to beat goalkeeper Mauricio Caranta. Boca played without playmaker Juan Riquelme, who was injured, enabling Estudiantes to claim its first victory at home against Boca in La Plata, a sister city to the capital, since 1991.
Also, Independiente beat San Lorenzo 1-0 with Guillermo Rodriguez's seventh goal of the season two minutes into the second half.
Velez Sarsfield beat Rosario Central 2-1 Saturday to keep pace with the leaders. Jonathan Cristaldo scored in the 62nd minute and Damian Escudero added another in the 83rd to put Velez ahead 2-0 before Mario Paglialunga pulled Rosario within one with four minutes remaining.
Also Sunday, Huracan beat Newell's Old Boys 1-0. On Saturday, Racing Club drew 1-1 with Argentinos Juniors; Lanus beat San Martin 2-1 despite Martin Bravo's eighth goal of the season; and Banfield edged Olimpo 2-1. On Friday, it was: Arsenal 1, Tigre 0; and Gimnasia de Jujuy 2, Colon 2.
