In one of the duels on the second matchday of the Copa Libertadores 2023 group stage, River Plate welcomes Celeste to the Monumental. River Plate faces Sporting Cristal in what promises to be a standout game of the second round of the group phase. With the iconic stadium as a backdrop, two clubs that stumbled in their openers arrive hungry for a victory to keep their Libertadores campaign on solid footing.
The Club Atlético River Plate, leading the local league, arrives after a 3-1 setback in La Paz against The Strongest, despite a late goal from Lucas Beltrán. The defeat stings, yet it underlines the team’s intent to rebound and prove their consistency on the continental stage.
Sporting Cristal, meanwhile, opened their Libertadores campaign with a 3-1 loss to Fluminense. João Grimaldo stood out for the Peruvian side, while Yoshimar Yotún exited the match late with an injury. Tiago Nunes’s squad, like Demichelis’s River Plate, is eager to add points to the board and elevate their performance in Argentina.
Copa Libertadores 2023: schedule, matches, and TV coverage
WHEN IS?
HOW TO SEE ON TV
The clash between River Plate and Sporting Cristal is broadcast in Argentina and Chile by Fox Sports. Across the rest of South America, ESPN carries the coverage. In the United States, the match is shown on beIN Sports, with Telefe offering coverage via its app and Pluto TV as an alternative option.
HOW TO WATCH VIA STREAMING
The game can be streamed in Mexico and South America through Star+. Star+ is the streaming service that brings ESPN sports and live events together with a wide array of shows, movies, and local content. It is designed to keep everything in one place for easy access and enjoyment.
WHO ANNOUNCES AND WHO COMMENTATES?
On ESPN, the pair of Mariano Closs and Diego Latorre handles play-by-play and analysis. Fox Sports features Hernán De Lorenzi and Miguel Osovi in the booth. Telefe’s team includes Pablo Giralt with Juan Pablo Varsky providing commentary.
FORMATIONS
RIVER PLATE
Franco Armani; Milton Casco, Leandro González Pires, Paulo Díaz, Enzo Díaz; Ignacio Fernández, Enzo Pérez, Nicolás De La Cruz, Esequiel Barco; Lucas Beltrán and Salomón Rondón. Manager: Martín Demichelis
SPORTING CRISTAL
Renato Solís; Carlos Lora, Ignacio Da Silva, Rafael Lutiger, Gianfranco Chávez, Nilson Loyola; Jesús Pretell, Jesús Castillo; Jostin Alarcón, Brenner, Washington Corozo.
Note: Team lineups are subject to changes close to kickoff and may reflect tactical shifts or injuries.
This strategic showdown is more than a clash of two teams trying to rebound from the opening fixtures. It’s a test of depth, tactical discipline, and the chemistry that can define a continental run. For River Plate, a win would reaffirm their status as a dominant force in Argentine football while validating their ambitions on the South American stage. For Sporting Cristal, turning around a difficult start would signal a return to form and re-energize their continental aspirations.
As both sides prepare, fans in the region expect a dynamic game marked by intensity and strategic chess moves. The Monumental’s atmosphere tends to elevate performances, and the tactical plans from both managers will be put to the test under the lights.
This encounter also serves as a reminder that the Copa Libertadores is not just about results; it’s about building a credible narrative across the group stage. Each match adds texture to the standings and feeds the ongoing conversation about which teams have the cohesion and resilience to advance deep into the tournament.
— End of report (attribution: Goal).