BUENOS AIRES, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Lucas Beltran and Agustin Palavecino scored either side of halftime as River Plate climbed to the top of Argentina's Primera Division standings on Sunday with a 2-0 victory at Sarmiento.
Beltran opened the scoring by converting a seventh-minute penalty and Agustin Palavecino doubled the lead with a long-range effort after combining with Rodrigo Aliendro.
The result leaves River Plate with 18 points from eight matches, two points clear of second-placed San Lorenzo, who have a game in hand. Sarmiento are 19th, with eight points from as many outings.
Meanwhile, Boca Juniors suffered their second consecutive defeat, falling 3-2 at home to Instituto.
Joaquin Varela, Adrian Martinez and Santiago Rodriguez scored for the visitors while Martin Payero and Miguel Merentiel were on target for Boca.
Instituto are now seventh in the 28-team standings with 13 points, two points ahead of 10th-placed Boca.
In other Primera Division fixtures on Sunday, Gimnasia won 2-1 at home to Estudiantes and Banfield prevailed 1-0 away to Talleres Cordoba. ■
