River Plate edges Platense in a high-stakes league night
River Plate overcame Platense in a fiercely contested clash during the Binance Tournament 2023, a match that lived up to expectations on a night when every point mattered. Both sides approached the game with clear motivations, and the stadium’s atmosphere hinted that a pivotal result was on the line as the ball rolled to kick off at the Monumental on the date originally set for the 17th round.
The opening minutes were electric, as River Plate pushed forward with intent, seeking to impose their tempo from the first whistle. Miguel Borja struck early, providing the visitors with a warning and giving Pablo Solari a finished chance in the box, which Borja converted with a composed finish to give River an early lead. The goal, arriving just after two minutes, set the tone for a contest that promised goals and drama.
Platense responded with a quick reminder that football is a game of momentum. A few minutes later, Ronald Martínez delivered a precise header that spared nothing—except perhaps the goalkeeper’s doubt—finding the net and leveling the score. The strike came after a moment that previously had featured a defensive error by the previous playmaker, a reminder that the match hinged on small margins and split-second decisions.
From that point, Demichelis’ side found a base, varying the approach with a sturdy defensive line and a midfield that crowded the spaces River usually exploits. Palermo’s setup produced a compact shield in the middle of the park, forcing River to craft openings rather than sprint through them. The parity held steady until the 55th minute, when a cross from Solari reached Nacho Fernández in the box. Fernández’s touch sent the ball past Ramiro Macagno, nudging River back in front and setting the tone for a tense final stretch.
Even with the lead, the match remained unpredictable. Platense pressed high and looked dangerous on the break, while River tried to stretch the lead with confident build-ups. There were chances to widen the advantage—moments when the home side could have stretched the margin—but the finish wouldn’t cooperate at times. Nevertheless, the balance of play suggested that River remained capable of adding more goals, had the final execution clicked more consistently.
With the result recorded, River Hill was able to extend its lead over San Lorenzo to five points, recalibrating momentum after a difficult trip to Córdoba against Talleres. The focus now shifts to the Libertadores Cup encounter next week, as River travels to Peru to test themselves against Sporting Cristal. The upcoming fixture schedule promises a fresh challenge, but the current result offers confirmation that the squad can capitalize when needed and manage the game’s rhythm on the big stage.
SUMMARY, GOALS AND VIDEOS
- River Plate showed early aggression and capitalized on a fast start with Borja finding the net.
- Platense answered swiftly, with a header from Ronald Martínez leveling the score against the run of play.
- Fernández’s second-half goal after Solari’s assist proved decisive, giving River a small cushion.
- Pablo Solari had a key moment, firing a promising attempt that narrowly missed the target.
- RIVER TARGET! Nacho Fernández found space in the box to finish a well-timed combination between Borja and Solari.
- Solari came close again as his strike flashed past the post, keeping Platense in the contest.
- PLATEN TARGET! Ronaldo Martínez’s header revived hope and brought the score level again.
- The away side pressed for a late leveller, while River sought to seal the result with controlled play.
- RIVER TARGET! Miguel Borja opened the scoring as soon as the game started.
- Questions remain about how the squad will rotate with imminent fixtures in mind as the season tightens.
- That’s how River leaves the field. The lineup featured Aliendro, while Beltrán watched from the bench.
- The starting XI that controlled the tempo and protected the lead faced a determined opponent until the final whistle.
STATISTICS
Source: Goal