Boca extend Group A lead with 2-0 home win over Estudiantes
BUENOS AIRES, April 19 (Reuters) - Boca Juniors' Carlos Palacios and Miguel Merentiel scored second-half goals to secure a 2-0 home win over Estudiantes on Saturday in the Argentine Primera Division Apertura tournament.
Already assured of a last-16 spot, the hosts strengthened their grip on Group A's top spot as they moved to 32 points, five clear of second-placed Huracan. Estudiantes are sixth with 20 points.
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Palacios opened the scoring three minutes into the second half, firing a first-time shot from a well-placed pass from Merentiel, who turned scorer himself to double the lead in the 63rd minute with a great long-range effort.
Estudiantes had looked more threatening in the opening stages, but Boca goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin kept them at bay early on, denying Guido Carrillo an opener with a brilliant save.
Edinson Cavani squandered a golden chance to hand Boca a halftime lead after his poorly taken penalty was saved by Estudiantes keeper Mansilla in the 40th minute.
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