River Plate defeats Banfield - 11:44 AM, March 8, 2006

River Plate has defeated Banfield 3-1 to move to a point behind leader Colon in the Argentine league.

Banfield surprised River with Cristian Leiva’s goal after five minutes, but international Luciano Figueroa equalised, and Federico Huguain and Marcelo Gallardo added second-half goals.

River has nine points, one behind leader Colon and one ahead of Velez Sarsfield and Independiente after four rounds.

Colon had taken over the league lead after beating Tiro Federal 1-0 a day earlier.

Former leader Independiente fell to fourth place after losing to Argentinos Juniors 2-1, and Estudiantes, another former leader, was held to 1-1 by Gimnasia y Esgrima.

In other games, Lanus defeated Rosario Central 2-0; Quilmes won 1-0 at home to Arsenal; Newell’s Old Boys defeated Gimnasia Jujuy 3-1 and Instituto held Boca Juniors to a 1-1 draw.

San Lorenzo beat Olimpo Bahia Blanca 2-0, and Velez Sarsfield beat Racing by the same score.