Jubilant Boca Juniors players have to be helped off the pitch by riot police after being targeted by bottles in the wake of their huge victory over bitter rivals River Plate
- Boca Juniors beat River Plate in the first Superclasico of the Argentine season
- The 1-0 victory came at a febrile El Monumental, with no away fans in attendance
- Delighted Boca players had to be helped off the pitch by riot police at full-time
- Bottles thrown from the home end rained down on the squad as they celebrated
Boca Juniors players needed the help of riot police to get off the pitch after securing a huge win away at bitter rivals River Plate on Sunday night.
It is still very early in the Argentine league season, but Boca’s players were delighted to land an early blow to their opponents – much to the dismay of the home fans.
Away supporters are banned in Argentine football, so the Boca players were left to celebrate among themselves before needing assistance to get back down the tunnel.
Boca Juniors goalscorer Sebastian Villa is helped off the pitch by riot police at El Monumental
Bottles rained down on the Boca players after they secured a win against rivals River Plate
There were jubilant scenes on River Plate’s pitch after a big victory for Boca Juniors
As they approached the side of the pitch, jumping around in celebration, bottles began to rain down on them from the home supporters.
While some held their hands up in a plea for the objects to stop being thrown, riot police were quick to raise their shields to shelter the players.
The likes of former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo and match-winner Sebastian Villa were among the players being targeted, with furious home supporters making their feelings known.
It had been a febrile atmosphere during the clash at El Monumental, the 72,000-capacity stadium on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
Boca boss Sebastian Battaglia – a legendary former player for the club – celebrates the win
River Plate fans had created a febrile atmosphere at El Monumental before their defeat
Former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo (right) was among the Boca Juniors team
After an even first half, Villa secured the victory for the away side in the 54th minute, taking them up to second in Group B of the Argentine league table.
More than that, it is also a huge early psychological advantage to Boca ahead of Friday’s draw for the 2022 Copa Libertadores – the biggest competition in South America.
Boca and River Plate are Argentina’s two biggest hopes in the continent-wide tournament, and will hope to make the final again – much like they did in 2018 when River beat Boca 5-3 on aggregate across a violent double-header.
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