River Plate returned to winning ways in the Argentine Clausura tournament on Sunday by beating San Martin 2-0 thanks to first-half goals from Santiago Lencina and Maximiliano Salas at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

River, who were held 1-1 by Lanus in their last Clausura match, lead Group B with 15 points from seven matches.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ian Subiabre laid off the ball to fellow teenager Lencina inside the box, with the midfielder firing a powerful left-footed shot past San Martin goalkeeper Matias Borgogno.

Four minutes later Salas doubled River's lead, beating his marker with pace down the left before unleashing a low left-footed strike into the far corner

"It's a very important win for us. We owed it to ourselves, coming off a draw and also playing for the cup (Copa Argentina)," Salas told ESPN. "Today we improved a lot, but we have to keep going. We need to give that little bit extra."

River next take a trip to Estudiantes on September 13. REUTERS