FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Copa Libertadores - Group H - River Plate v Libertad - Estadio Mas Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina - May 14, 2024 River Plate's Miguel Borja scores their second goal REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - A second-half strike by Miguel Borja earned River Plate a 1-0 home win over Lanus in the Apertura tournament of the Argentine Primera Division on Sunday.
The victory lifted River to third place in Group B, level on 12 points with Independiente, who have a game in hand, and two points behind leaders Rosario Central.
"The win was the most important thing; we're still looking for a good style of play," River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani told TNT Sports.
"In the second half we saw a different side to the team and that's what we want, picking up three points."
The hosts had a few chances to take the lead in the first half, with Facundo Colidio's long-range effort hitting the crossbar and Gonzalo Martinez shooting wide just before the break.
Lanus' best chance to break the deadlock came in the 34th minute when Armani denied Walter Bou's close-range attempt.
River then thought they grabbed the lead nine minutes into the second half through Giuliano Galoppo's low strike only to see the goal disallowed for a Gonzalo Montiel offside.
"Who scores is irrelevant but I think it was wrongly disallowed," Galoppo said. "But the important thing is the victory, at home with our fans, and from now on, keep improving."
Substitute Borja finally netted in the 77th minute after a deflection ricocheted off River's Maximiliano Meza and into the Colombian's path for his first goal this season.
The 32-year-old missed a golden chance to score a second seven minutes later, sending a penalty kick over the crossbar.
The visitors pushed hard for a late equaliser but Armani produced a couple of key saves, blocking efforts from captain Carlos Izquierdoz and Alexis Canelo in stoppage time.
The defeat left Lanus eighth with seven points.
"We have to keep it up. I try to respond when the team needs me, that's what the goalkeeper is there for. Overall, it was a good game," Armani added.
River, Argentina's most successful team, next play at San Martin on Saturday.
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Neil Fullick, Shri Navaratnam and Peter Rutherford)
