Juan Roman Riquelme was instrumental in Boca Juniors' emphatic 4-0 victory over Argentinos Juniors at the Bombonera stadium on Sunday. While last season's champions Lanus lost 1-0 against lowly Huracan.

Boca, who drew 1-1 with Rosario Central last weekend, started strongly against a much improved Argentinos Juniors outfit, and piled heavy pressure on their goal.

In the 21st minute they went ahead, when veteran striker Martin Palermo superbly volleyed in a rebound, that caught the Argentinos goalkeeper offguard.

The South American champions continued to pressure their opponents, with the outstanding work of midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, who turned on the style with a number of tricky moves, and brilliant footwork.

Boca went into the half time break with a slender 1-0 advantage, after a half which they completely dominated.

After the restart Boca continued to press, and Rodrigo Palacio doubled their lead in the 49th minute, with a good finish after nice work from Riquelme.

Jesus Datolo added Boca's fourth in the 82nd minute with a well-taken goal, but Carlos Ischia's team were still looking for more goals.

In second half injury time, with Riquelme and Palermo not on the pitch anymore, Boca were awarded a penalty kick, after Sergio Escudero elbowed Boca's Uruguayan midfielder Alvaro Gonzalez in the area.

Leandro Gracian, who had just entered the field minutes earlier, stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, sealing Boca's impressive 4-0 victory.

Boca's city rivals River Plate picked up a valuable point away at Newell's Old Boys of Rosario, after both sides played out a goalless draw.

Both teams, who are known for playing very fast football, didn't play at their normal intensity, and this had much to do with the 36 degree heat.

Newell's probably deserved more from the match, because they constantly pressured the River Plate goal with the good work of Hernan Bernardello, and Alejandro Da Silva.

River's main opportunities fell to Radamel Falcao Garcia and Sebastian Abreu, but both strikers were off touch on an afternoon where Diego Simeone's side failed to live up to their reputation.

Argentine Apertura Champions Lanus, who beat Danubio of Uruguay 3-1 in the Copa Libertadores last week, fell to a surprising 1-0 defeat against Huracan.

Lanus dominated their opponents early on, but failed to capitalise on a number of clear goal scoring opportunities, particularly towards the end of the first half.

The only goal of the match was converted by Alan Sanchez in the 83rd minute. Sanchez beat Carlos Bossio with a brilliant long-distance missile.

On Saturday night Independiente turned on the style with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Tigre, in a match which demonstrated the depth that had the Diablos Rojos as one of the main candidates to win last season's Apertura Championship, before they fell apart.

Despite German Denis' 29th minute sending off, they cruised past difficult opposition, who were also reduced to ten men with Matias Gimenez's ejection during the same minute.

Independiente's goals were scored by Daniel Montenegro (37') and (87'), Gaston Machin (49'), and through a Santiago Morero own goal (22'), after good work from Montenegro. Tigre's consolation was scored by Nestor Ayala (70') from the penalty spot.

Velez Sarsfield continued their outstanding form of late, with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Olimpo in Bahia Blanca.

Gustavo Balvorin put El Fortin ahead in the 41st minute, with a bizarre long-distance headed goal, while highly-rated Uruguayan striker Santiago Silva added the second in the 59th minute, with one of the best goals of the round, after hammering the ball home, after a brilliant collective move.

San Lorenzo lost yet again, this time 1-0 against San Martin, who escaped from Buenos Aires with the three points, thanks to a last minute penalty kick from Jose Brusco.

El Ciclon dominated their opponents throughout the entire match, but despite their heavy pressure, they couldn't capitalise on their many goal scoring opportunities.

Estudiantes de La Plata won 2-0 at Gimnasia de Jujuy, with goals from Enzo Perez (11') and Pablo Luguercio (50'), and like Velez have won their two matches so far this season.

While on Friday night Colon thrashed Arsenal de Sarandi 3-0 in Santa Fe with a brilliant performance, as the side try to escape from possible relegation to Argentina's Second Division next season.

Arsenal, who are the reigning Copa Sudamericana champions, played one of their worst matches in recent years, and need to improve a great deal to challenge for the Argentine Championship, and the Copa Libertadores this year.

Colon's goals were scored by Martin Cardetti (60'), and Venezuelan midfielder Cesar Gonzalez (78') and (90').

Argentine Clausura Championship Results: Round Two

Friday February 15

Banfield 3-1 Racing Club

Colon de Santa Fe 3-0 Arsenal de Sarandi

Saturday February 16

Gimnasia La Plata 2-0 Rosario Central

Gimnasia de Jujuy 0-2 Estudiantes de La Plata

San Lorenzo 0-1 San Martin de San Juan

Independiente 4-1 Tigre

Olimpo de Bahia Blanca 0-2 Velez Sarsfield

Sunday February 17

Huracan 1-0 Lanus

Newell's Old Boys 0-0 River Plate

Boca Juniors 4-0 Argentinos Juniors