BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Enner Valencia scored in second-half stoppage time as Boca Juniors secured a 1-0 home win over Defensa y Justicia in Argentina's Clausura tournament on Saturday.
Both teams struggled for clear scoring opportunities until Valencia broke the deadlock with a 96th-minute strike after Lautaro Di Lollo's headed pass at La Bombonera.
The result meant Boca finished the regular season with 33 points, a point behind Zone A leader Instituto Cordoba. Defensa y Justicia also secured a playoff spot by claiming fourth place in the 15-team group.
Elsewhere in Argentina's top flight on Saturday, Gimnasia Mendoza and Newell's Old Boys drew their final fixtures before the round of 16.
Independiente Rivadavia was reduced to 10 men in the 17th minute of its away clash with Gimnasia Mendoza when Paraguayan midfielder Jose Florentin was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.
German Guiffrey capitalized with a 45th-minute strike as the hosts appeared on course for victory.
But the match took another turn six minutes from time when Luciano Cingolani was dismissed for a second yellow card following a rash challenge on Ivan Villalba.
Luis Diaz put his side on level terms with a clinical 96th-minute goal as Rivadavia finished seventh in Zone B with 23 points from 16 games.
Newell's, meanwhile, claimed sixth spot in Zone A after a 2-2 draw at Zone A leader Instituto. ■
