BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Francisco Alvarez scored in the first half as Argentinos Juniors edged to a 1-0 away win over 10-man Belgrano in Argentina's Clausura tournament on Saturday.

The hosts were handed a numerical disadvantage in the 39th minute when Franco Vazquez was dismissed for a second yellow card after a bad challenge on Hernan Lopez.

Alvarez gave his side the lead eight minutes later, heading into the far corner after Gabriel Florentin's floating free kick.

Argentinos Juniors leads Group B with nine points from the first three games of the season while Belgrano is ninth, six points further back.

Elsewhere, Agustin Modica struck either side of halftime to fire Gimnasia Mendoza to a 2-0 home win over Union Santa Fe.

And Estudiantes scored three first-half goals en route to a 3-0 home victory over Defensa y Justicia.

In other Argentine top-flight fixtures on Saturday, Tigre won 3-1 at Racing and Estudiantes Rio Cuarto was held to a goalless home draw by Banfield. ■