In a start to the new local season that mirrored their Copa Libertadores struggles, River Plate faced an early setback as Argentinos Juniors capitalized on a critical lapse and secured a fair victory.
The action unfolded with the ball lingering in the air at times, and River’s defense again showing vulnerability in the aerial game. At the outset of the Professional League Cup, Argentinos exploited a notable flaw in Martín Demichelis’ squad, edging River 3-2 at La Paternal.
The schedule for the 2023 Professional League Cup promised a high-octane clash, and the Diego Armando Maradona stadium did not disappoint. Both sides produced dangerous incursions, rapid transitions, and moments that sparked near-misses and tense exchanges. Argentinos took advantage of errors on River’s side to clinch the three points, opening the scoring from a set piece, drawing level twice in the same fashion, and finally sealing the win after a early miscue by Rodrigo Aliendro.
River entered with a dominant first half showing that suggested an early control of the game, but the momentum swung as Argentinos executed counters and capitalized on misreads in the River defense. The visitors could not sustain their early rhythm in front of goal in the second half and were unable to react to Argentinos’ third strike, despite a quality scoring chance for Facundo Colidio late in the match.
The narrative on the night at GOAL captured the tempo of the match and the turning points that defined the outcome.
ARGENTINOS JUNIORS – RIVER PLATE, MINUTE BY MINUTE
- ARGENTINE GOAL! Aliendro misplayed a clearance, González Metilli seized the opportunity and set up Gondou for the finish, giving Argentinos a 3-2 advantage.
- ARGENTINE GOAL! A second miscue on a stalled ball allowed Gondou to strike again and level the score at 2-2.
- RIVER GOAL! Martín Arias saved Barco’s penalty, but the rebound found a River player who tapped it in for a 2-1 lead.
- RIVER FOUl! The referee, advised by VAR, pointed to a handball and issued a decision against Borja.
- RIVER GOAL! Borja delivered a cross, Palavecino connected, and River equalized to 1-1.
- ARGENTINE GOAL! Di Cesare won the aerial duel, the ball deflected off Minissale and wrong-footed Armani for the 1-0 lead.
- The minute by minute sequence unfolded as both teams pressed to gain the upper hand.
- Good evening and welcome to another GOAL broadcast. Argentinos Juniors faced River Plate on the opening date of the 2023 Professional League Cup at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.
THE TARGET EXAMPLE
HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING
The match between Argentinos Juniors and River Plate aired in Argentina on ESPN Premium, a service available to subscribers of the dedicated football package through local cable providers.
ESPN Premium
FORMATIONS
ARGENTINES JRS
Alexis Martin Arias; Pablo Minissale, Marco Di Cesare, Lucas Villalba; Javier Cabrera, Franco Moyano, Federico Redondo, Alan Rodriguez; Santiago Montiel, Luciano Gondou, Francisco González Metilli. DT: Gabriel Milito
RIVER PLATE
Franco Armani; Milton Casco, Emanuel Mammana, Ramiro Funes Mori, Enzo Diaz; Matias Kranevitter, Rodrigo Aliendro; Ignacio Fernandez, Agustin Palavecino, Esequiel Barco; Miguel Borja. DT: Martin Demichelis
Source: Goal