The Argentina midfielder made a highly anticipated return from a six-month knee injury lay-off and might have sparked a victory at the Bombonera but for good goalkeeping by Nicolas Navarro.
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Two minutes later in a counter-attack, Boca goalkeeper Cristian Lucchetti failed to hold substitute Andres Romero's shot and striker Ciro Rius netted the rebound to put the match beyond the home team.
Striker Martin Palermo brought a diving save from Navarro with a strong header from Riquelme's corner and the playmaker, who had knee surgery in May, had a shot from the edge of the box turned over the bar.
Boca's next match is Argentina's biggest derby, the "superclasico" away to arch-rivals River Plate at the Monumental on November 16. River are away to All Boys on Sunday looking to improve their poor relegation average (taken over three seasons).
Newell's Old Boys are fourth after a 0-0 draw away to Godoy Cruz in Mendoza.
