Río Cuarto, Argentina – River Plate continued their impressive form under coach Eduardo Coudet, securing a 2-0 victory over Estudiantes de Río Cuarto on Friday in a match marred by controversial officiating decisions. Goals from Gonzalo Montiel, via a penalty, and Maximiliano Salas sealed the win, marking River’s third consecutive triumph in the Torneo Apertura and propelling them to the top of Group B.
The match, played at the Estadio Antonio Candini, was filled with contentious moments, particularly surrounding penalty decisions. River Plate now sits atop the Zona B standings with 20 points, tied with Independiente Rivadavia, though River has played one additional match. This victory builds momentum for the team as they head into the international break.
The first major talking point arrived in the 35th minute when Montiel’s cross appeared to strike Estudiantes defender Matías Valenti on the hand. Referee Nazareno Arasa initially awarded a penalty, but after a VAR review, the call was overturned, as the handball was deemed to have occurred outside the penalty area. The first half concluded without either side finding the back of the net.
The second half brought even more drama. Estudiantes briefly took the lead in the 56th minute through Tomás González, sparking celebrations among the home fans. But, the goal was quickly disallowed after a VAR review revealed that González was in an offside position at the start of the play, following a clearance from River’s Martínez Quarta.
The decisive moment came in the 65th minute. A challenge between Cobos and Driussi inside the Estudiantes penalty area resulted in a penalty awarded to River after VAR intervention, citing a “foot-to-foot” contact. Gonzalo Montiel confidently converted the spot-kick, giving River a 1-0 lead. Montiel, a key player for River Plate, as well played a crucial role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, as detailed on Wikipedia.
Despite Estudiantes’ efforts to equalize in the remaining time, River Plate held firm. In the dying moments of the match, a swift counter-attack saw Quinteros find Maximiliano Salas with a long pass. Salas skillfully navigated past the goalkeeper, Agustín Lastra, to score the second goal and seal the victory for River.
Salas’ goal marked a return to form for the forward, providing a crucial second goal in a tightly contested match. The final whistle blew, confirming a 2-0 win for River Plate.
The match was not without its controversy, with the VAR playing a significant role in several key decisions. Infobae reported on the match, highlighting the contentious calls made by the referee and VAR officials.
The victory positions River Plate well as the Torneo Apertura progresses. The team will now break for the FIFA international window before returning to action with renewed confidence. The performance demonstrates Coudet’s growing influence on the squad and their ability to grind out results even in challenging circumstances. ESPN provided further analysis of the key moments and decisions during the match.
Looking ahead, River Plate will aim to maintain their momentum and solidify their position at the top of Group B. The team’s next challenge will be a crucial test of their title aspirations as they navigate the remainder of the Torneo Apertura schedule.
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