BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Paraguayan midfielder Matias Rojas scored with a first-half free-kick as Defensa y Justicia defeated River Plate 1-0 in the Superliga Argentina on Saturday.

The 23-year-old gave goalkeeper Franco Armani no chance with a low 25-yard strike that deflected off the wall into the bottom right corner.

The result at River's Monumental stadium left second-placed Defensa y Justicia just three points behind leaders Racing Club.

River, who were playing their first competitive match since defeating local rivals Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final last month, slid to 11th in the standings, 17 points behind the leaders.

Most of the competition's 26 teams will return from Argentine football's summer break next weekend.