BUENOS AIRES, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Sebastian Driussi and Ian Subiabre scored either side of halftime as River Plate secured a 2-0 home win over 10-man Sarmiento in Argentina's Primera Division on Sunday.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute when Gabriel Diaz was shown a second yellow card for a bad foul on Gonzalo Montiel.

Driussi put the hosts ahead two minutes later, sending a clever backheel past goalkeeper Javier Burrai during a scramble inside the six-yard box.

Subiabre doubled the lead in the 71st minute with a clinical finish into the far corner following Anibal Moreno's through ball.

The result leaves River fifth in Group B with 17 points, seven ahead of 12th-placed Sarmiento.

Elsewhere, Miguel Merentiel cancelled out Julian Palacios' first-half strike as Boca Juniors earned a 1-1 draw at Union Santa Fe.

In other Argentine top flight fixtures on Sunday, Argentinos Juniors drew 1-1 at Tigre, Independiente Rivadavia won 3-2 at Gimnasia La Plata, and Belgrano was held to a goalless home draw by Talleres. ■