Alavrez leads River Plate to rout of Newell's

BUENOS AIRES - Argentina international forward Julian Alvarez scored two goals and set up two others as River Plate climbed to third in Argentina's Primera Division standings on Wednesday with a 4-1 win at Newell's Old Boys.

Alvarez set up Nicolas de la Cruz for River's opening goal in the fifth minute before Ignacio Scocco rifled home a long-range effort just after the half-hour mark.

River regained the lead on the hour when Alvarez struck from distance after brilliantly controlling a miscued effort from Fabrizio Angileri.

Jorge Carrascal made it 3-1 with a cool finish after a slick one-two with Alvarez and the latter completed a superb individual display by curling a shot past goalkeeper Alan Aguerre 13 minutes from time

After a poor start to the season, River are unbeaten in their past six top-flight matches and trail leaders Talleres Cordoba by just two points. Newell's, who have not won in the league since August 6, are 20th in the 26-team standings.

In other Primera Division fixtures on Wednesday, Estudiantes won 2-0 at Union, Patronato drew 1-1 at Argentinos Juniors and Rosario Central prevailed 2-1 at Banfield.