Red cards gallore in Argentine derby

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Boca Juniors vs River Plate friendly descends into chaos. Image Source: twitter

Internet Desk: Argentine arch-rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate played out another thrilling derby with full of drama and controversy after three coaches and three players were sent off in this weekend’s ‘Superclassico’ friendly.

River Plate emerged as the winners by 2-0 in the traditional & historic annual clash between the great Argentine rivals at the seaside resort of Mar del Plata, a tie which takes place during the summer break in the season.

A penalty goal struck by Sebastian Driussi, top scorer in the Argentine league and Ecuadorean defender Arturo Mina’s header in the space of eight second-half minutes sealed the result.

His twin and number two Gustavo and River coach Marcelo Gallardo followed him to the stands for bringing their teams out from the halftime break well past the 15-minute deadline, a rule referees regularly enforce in Argentina.

World Cup referee Nestor Pitana then sent off Driussi and Boca’s Dario Benedetto and Juan Insaurralde following a free-for-all involving both teams 10 minutes from full time after a River player was brought down.

The win was a measure of revenge for River after they suffered a 4-2 home defeat in the league in December when a brilliant Carlos Tevez scored twice in one of his last games for Boca before his multi-million dollar move to China.

River face Lanus in the Argentine Supercup next Saturday before the league championship resumes the following weekend.

Boca are now 3top on 31 points from 14 matches, while River are seventh with 22.