BUENOS AIRES, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Colombian striker Miguel Borja scored late as River Plate edged to a 1-0 home win over Lanus in Argentina's Primera Division Apertura tournament on Sunday.
The 32-year-old broke the deadlock in the 77th minute by controlling Maximiliano Meza's through-ball with his chest before slotting an angled finish into the far corner.
Borja squandered the chance to double the hosts' lead when he sent a penalty attempt over the bar six minutes from time.
The result leaves River third in the 15-team Group B standings with 12 points from six outings, two points behind leaders Rosario Central. Lanus are ninth, five points further back.
While expressing relief at the result, River manager Marcelo Gallardo said his team was still a work in progress.
"If we look at the numbers, we have to be better in every sense," Gallardo said. "All the games are very hard-fought and that's the way Argentine football is now. Today we were up to the challenge against a very good team and in the second half we lifted our level but we know we have to improve."
Elsewhere in the Primera Division on Sunday, Rosario Central won 2-1 at Newell's Old Boys, Talleres Cordoba was held to a 1-1 home draw by Atletico Tucuman and Huracan won 1-0 at home to Union Santa Fe. ■
