Group B's second position is clinched by River Plate following a dominating 4-1 victory over Velez.
Down in Buenos Aires: River Plate Impresses in Thrilling Win
The SceneIt's all about the Argentine Primera Division Apertura tournament, where the intensity is ramped up, and the stakes are high. River Plate wrapped up the first phase of this adrenaline-pumping competition as the runners-up in Group B, securing a nail-biting 4-1 victory over Velez Sarsfield on a rain-soaked Sunday. This triumph propels them to the second phase, setting up a captivating face-off against Barracas Central in the round of 16.
A Commanding StartThings got off to a flying start for River Plate, with Sebastian Driussi slamming home the opener in the 14th minute. Franco Mastantuono's initial shot was blocked, leaving an inviting rebound for Driussi to capitalize on.
Eight minutes later, Facundo Colidio outsmarted the Velez defence with an electrifying sprint before delivering a classy finish to double the lead. The third goal arrived shortly afterwards, courtesy of a defensive blunder by Velez's goalkeeper, Randall Rodriguez. Mastantuono found his shot blocked, but he made the most of the second chance to set up Ignacio Fernandez for a deft finish.
A Battleground TestVelez mounted a brief challenge before half-time, as Maher Carrizo converted after a slick counter-attack left Agustin Bouzat with a golden opportunity to feed his teammate. The remainder of the first half saw River Plate clinging to their advantage amidst the chaos.
The second half brought higher stakes and a deluge of rain, but the River fans remained defiant, belting out their songs with unwavering passion. Despite the treacherous conditions, both teams played out a relatively even contest, with River's goalkeeping duo thwarting Fabrizio Bustos and Mastantuono's attempts to level the score.
Gallardo's Men Grind Out the VictoryThe final nail in the coffin came late in the game, as Miguel Borja coolly slotted home from the spot after a foul on Manuel Lanzini earned Velez's Manuel Gomez a straight red card.
After the match, River Plate head coach Marcelo Gallardo was satisfied with the result but not entirely pleased with his team's performance. "I thought our first-half display was fantastic," he said. "However, in the second half, our game management wasn't up to par. We made some mistakes that put us under additional pressure, but overall, we deserved the win with our first-half performance."
More to ComeVelez Sarsfield's 13th-place finish means they've missed out on the second phase entirely, leaving them with nothing left to fight for this season. River Plate, on the other hand, continue to vie for top honors, with tough competition from the likes of Rosario Central, Independiente, and San Lorenzo awaiting them in the coming weeks.
[1] River Plate advance to Round of 16 with commanding win over Velez Sarsfield
[2] Upcoming matches for River Plate in Argentine Primera División
[3] Current standings for the Argentine Primera División as of May 5, 2025
[4] The four teams leading the Argentine Primera División as of May 5, 2025, are:- Rosario Central with 35 points,- River Plate with 31 points,- Independiente with 29 points, and- a fourth team with an unspecified number of points but remarked as fourth. (More information needed for the identity of the fourth team.)
[1] In a thrilling turn of events, River Plate fouled Manuel Gomez of Velez Sarsfield, resulting in a penalty that Miguel Borja completed to secure the win against Velez Sarsfield and advance them to the Round of 16 in the Argentine Primera División.
[2] With their impressive performance in the first phase, River Plate will face Barracas Central in the next round of football matches in the Argentine Primera División as they continue to strive for top honors, hoping to beat the remaining opponents such as Rosario Central, Independiente, and San Lorenzo.
[3] Following their victory against Velez Sarsfield, River Plate now leads the deficit between them and Rosario Central, the current leaders of the Argentine Primera División, with a three-point deficit as of May 5, 2025. The remaining teams in the top four include Independiente with 29 points, while the identity of the fourth team is undetermined and requires further information.
