April 19 (Reuters) - Leandro Paredes ⁠converted a first-half penalty to hand Boca ⁠Juniors a 1-0 away win over River Plate in ‌Sunday's Argentine Superclasico, snapping their bitter rivals' nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions.

It also marked River's first defeat under coach Eduardo Coudet, ​leaving them second in Group B ⁠of the Apertura standings ⁠on 26 points, while Boca Juniors climbed to third in ⁠Group ‌A with 24.

In a tight first half, captain Paredes made no mistake from the spot ⁠just before the break to silence a ​fervent Estadio Monumental, ‌after the VAR ruled Lautaro Rivero had handled ⁠in the ​box.

The hosts had looked the better side in the opening exchanges but were dealt an early blow when striker Sebastian ⁠Driussi went off injured.

Boca went close ​to doubling their lead after the restart when Santiago Ascacibar drew a fine save from goalkeeper Santiago Beltran, before ⁠the visitors took their foot off the gas.

A spirited River pushed for an equaliser but offered little in the way of clear-cut chances, while Boca threatened on the ​counter, with Beltran making a ⁠couple of key saves to keep the deficit to one.

River’s ​late push ended in frustration as ‌their stoppage-time penalty appeals were ​waved away, with no VAR intervention.