Both River and Gimnasia were beaten on Sunday, while Independiente -- who both the media and the AFA agree are bottom of the table -- scored their first goal in 422 minutes as they drew 1-1 with Nueva Chicago.

According to standings on the AFA's website, River have 34 points from 16 games, followed by Gimnasia-La Plata on 33 from 16.

The media, however, claim River have 37 from 17 games and that Gimnasia-La Plata 33 from 17, apparently on the assumption that the score in last month's abandoned Gimnasia-River match will stand.

The game was called off in the last minute due to rioting by Gimnasia fans with River 1-0 ahead and the AFA has not officially announced its decision on the game, played almost one month ago.

The media went as far to announce that River would be crowned champions on Sunday if they won and Gimnasia lost as this, by their calculations, would have opened up a seven-point lead with two games each to play.

CONFUSION PREVENTED

River, still reeling from Thursday's 4-0 defeat in Brazil by Gremio which sent them tumbling out of the Libertadores Cup, prevented even more confusion by losing 1-0 to Lanus as Argentine midfielder Ariel Ortega made his last appearance for the club.

River, with both Ortega and Andres D'Alessandro making a bright start, threatened to overrun Lanus early in the match but their finishing was poor and they ran out of steam by half an hour.

Defender Maurico Romero struck the only goal for Lanus one minute before halftime.

Ortega bowed out discreetly. He is due to fly to Italy on Monday to join Argentina's pre-World Cup training camp and will then return to Serie A club Parma, from whom he has been on loan.

Two first half goals by Luciano Figueroa sank Gimnasia at Rosario Central, who are showing signs of coming to life under Cesar Luis Menotti, the man who led Argentina to their 1978 World Cup victory.

Menotti joined Rosario, the club where he began his career as a player 40 years ago, earlier this year.

Americo Gallego, who played in Menotti's 1978 team as a hard-tackling midfielder, was able to celebrate his first goal since taking over as coach at Independiente.