The Millonarios needed 93 minutes to overcome the tough Decano, with a decisive header from Salomón Rondón that nudged them into the play-off zone. The win felt like a relief, a clear signal that the team was bouncing back after a turbulent spell in 2023 that saw Libertadores disappointment and a stormy buildup toward the domestic finish. Rondón’s late surge sealed more than just three points; it confirmed a rising momentum at the Monumental and anchored River Plate firmly in the playoff picture.
River Plate arrived fully aware that the Professional League Cup would be their sole focus for the remainder of the season. With the Libertadores exit still echoing, the club redirected every resource toward domestic glory, turning the campaign into a high-stakes battle where every match mattered more than ever. The victory, achieved in front of their home fans, underscored the team’s resilience and their capacity to respond under pressure, even when the opposition mounted counterattacks that threatened to topple the structure built by the squad and staff.
Rondón’s header did not come without drama. River’s superiority was evident as the team created numerous chances and controlled large spells of the match. Yet the opposing side, led by the Dean, pushed back with a counterattack that nearly changed the outcome. The late goal arrived as a culmination of persistent pressure and smart positioning, cementing a win that felt like a turning point in the narrative of River Plate’s season.
On the field, Barco found himself off balance again when paired with Nacho Fernández, while De La Cruz was the creative spark who often unlocked spaces and generated opportunities. Borja also looked sharp, testing the opposition with clear sight of goal. A couple of finishes were narrowly denied: one was saved by the goalkeeper and another finished in a promising position but could not convert. Earlier, a close moment arose when Paulo Díaz opened the scoring, only for the play to be ruled offside after a tenseVAR review that confirmed a touch from Bianchi forced the decision. These episodes highlighted the fine margins that can decide a match of this magnitude.
The duel turned into a showcase of tactical discipline and brutal pace. Orsi and Gómez’s duo could have snatched victory through a swift counterattack led by Coronel, but Armani stood tall at the near post, denying a late spark and preserving a clean sheet that marked another successful night for the Millionaire. The match added another layer to a season filled with dramatic turns and tense moments, reinforcing River Plate’s status as a club that can grind out results when it matters most.
The Professional League Cup 2023 schedule has been a roller coaster of matches, dates, and results, with each result shaping the final standings and the emotional rollercoaster fans ride. As the campaign moves forward, GOAL continues to track the action, bringing fans the latest updates from the league’s most heated confrontations. This game reinforced the unpredictability and intensity that have become synonymous with this competition, reminding supporters that every ninety minutes brings new hopes and fresh narratives.
Looking ahead, the next phase of the competition will demand the same blend of grit and quality that River Plate demonstrated in this encounter. The team will seek to maintain momentum and keep pressing toward the top positions, knowing that the path to silverware often runs through these tight, pressure-packed evenings. The atmosphere at the Monumental remains charged, with fans hungry for continued success and a deeper run in the league’s challenging schedule.
River Plate versus Atlético Tucumán, minute by minute, provided a clear snapshot: a disciplined side, capable of crafting chances and finishing when it mattered. The match was broadcast to Argentine viewers as part of TNT Sports, a package available to households with the Football Pack through local cable providers, underscoring how fans access live domestic action in different markets. The Argentine audience followed a game that felt like a reawakening after a fraught midseason stretch, a reminder of football’s power to unite and inspire during long campaigns.
COURSE
RIVER PLATE
Franco Armani, Santiago Simón, Paulo Díaz, Ramiro Funes Mori, Milton Casco; Enzo Perez; Nicolás De La Cruz, Manuel Lanzini, Nacho Fernández, Esequiel Barco; Miguel Borja. DT: Martín Demichelis.
ATHLETIC TUCUMAN
Tomás Marchiori, Hernán De La Fuente, Bruno Bianchi, Nicolás Romero, Matías Orihuela; Adrián Sánchez, Guillermo Acosta, Ramiro Carrera, Joaquín Pereyra; Justo Giani, Ignacio Maestro Puch. Coach: Favio Orsi – Sergio Gómez.
Cited from Goal