BUENOS AIRES, July 13 (Xinhua) -- River Plate began its Argentine Primera Division Clausura campaign with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Platense on Sunday.

Facundo Colidio gave his side the lead at Monumental Stadium by cutting inside and rifling a 30-yard drive into the far corner.

Ronaldo Martinez equalized with a thumping header after Guido Mainero's in-swinging cross from the right wing.

Maximiliano Salas restored River's advantage shortly after, sliding home from the edge of the six-yard box following a series of one-touch passes.

Platense suffered a further blow in the 75th minute as Marcos Portillo was sent off for a violent challenge on Gonzalo Montiel.

Substitute Miguel Borja put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time, beating the offside trap to run onto Gonzalo Martinez's through ball and finishing clinically into the near corner.

Earlier, Boca Juniors and Argentinos Juniors played out a goalless draw in their Buenos Aires derby. Argentinos Juniors controlled two thirds of the total possession but could only manage four shots on target against a Boca side that defended impressively but created little.

In other Primera Division fixtures on Sunday, Newell's Old Boys prevailed 2-1 at Independiente Rivadavia, Atletico Tucuman won 2-1 at home to San Martin and Independiente drew 2-2 at Sarmiento. ■