Nahitan Nandez inflicted another painful defeat on arch-rivals River Plate as Boca Juniors triumphed 2-1 in an enthralling Superclasico that saw two red cards at El Monumental.
Uruguay international Nandez volleyed home the winner with 17 minutes remaining, sending Boca nine points clear at the Superliga summit and adding to River s misery after they were dumped out of the Copa Libertadores by Lanus stunning four-goal comeback in midweek.
Edwin Cardona put Guillermo Barros Schelotto s side ahead before half-time when his majestic free-kick – awarded after a high foot from Nacho Fernandez resulted in the midfielder s dismissal – found the top-right corner.
Referee Nestor Pitana levelled things up by dismissing Cardona for a perceived elbow on Enzo Perez, but, just four minutes after Leonardo Ponzio equalised with a screamer, Nandez converted Pablo Perez s cross to silence El Monumental.
Cardona saw a thumping effort tipped over by German Lux in the 12th minute, but he beat the River goalkeeper with a phenomenal free-kick into the top-right corner three minutes before half-time after Fernandez was shown red for a high boot which caught the Boca man in the chest.
Agustin Rossi denied Ignacio Scocco as the hosts pushed for an equaliser in the second period, but their hopes of a comeback were boosted after the hour mark when Cardona was given his marching orders having appeared to make contact with Enzo Perez s face.
2010 Edwin Cardona is the first player to score and be sent off in a league since 25/03/2010 (Gary Medel, scored 2). Duality
— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier)
River restored parity eight minutes later, Ponzio beating Rossi with a stunning right-footed strike that flew into the top-left corner to spark scenes of unbridled joy.
There was to be a sting in the tail, though. As the hosts pushed for a winner they left themselves exposed at the back, and Nandez made the most of the space to etch his name in history as the winner of the 200th Superclasico in the top flight.
