River Plate beat Unión Santa Fe 1-0 at the Monumental to stay atop the league table.
Five straight wins across league and cup have River in a dominant mood, whatever they have claimed from this game. This time the team controlled, pressed and defeated Unión 1-0 on the ninth matchday of the Binance Tournament 2023 at the More monumentale, a testament to its consistency and confidence.
The lone goal of the evening arrived early, within ten minutes. A ball girl hurried to the wing to retrieve the ball, José Paradela delivered a cross and Nacho Fernandez steered it into the corner. The finish was clinical and the buildup crisp. The play to follow featured River pressing high, their attackers quick to seize every second, and a defense that stayed compact, even as the chances racked up. There were twenty shots in total, six on target, and just one needed for the scoreboard to tilt in favor of the home side.
The goal not only gave River the lead but also preserved a clean sheet that added three points against a Santa Fe side that struggles this season and has slipped to the bottom part of the table after a long winless streak. The match also saw a moment of drama when Imanol Machuca was sent off in the 65th minute, a red card after a clash that involved a headbutt. Enzo Diaz was involved in the incident and played a role in the elevated tension that marked the closing stages of the game.
With this result, Martin Demichelis and his squad will extend their stay at the summit for at least another round and could open up a several-point gap on their pursuers, depending on how the other fixtures unfold later in the week.
In GOAL We present the best moments from the Monumental in what was another memorable evening for River Plate fans.
SUMMARY, GOALS AND VIDEOS
- River continued to show its intent, with Moyano stepping in for Beltrán and keeping the attack vibrant.
- Red card drama as Machuca was dismissed after a high-tide moment with Enzo Diaz escalating the emotions on the field.
- The home side looked comfortable in possession, pressing high and moving the ball with purpose through the central channels.
- Nuno flourished in forward areas, creating opportunities and linking up with teammates as the pace of the game intensified.
- Nacho Fernandez came close to a second before the interval, testing the resolve of the visiting defense, though the goalkeeper stood tall in crucial moments.
- River made regular incursions into the opponent’s half, with Rodrigo Aliendro delivering sharp passes and maintaining the tempo of the match.
- Paradela threatened again with a strong drive that nearly doubled the lead, signaling River’s continued dominance in the final third.
- Every offensive move was matched by disciplined defending, as the back line absorbed pressure and cleared danger swiftly.
- River had multiple chances to seal the win, but the finishing touch briefly eluded them as the clock wore on.
- As the final whistle approached, the home faithful remained vocal, confident in the side’s ability to control the pace and secure three points.
- The team’s performance highlighted a balance between attack and defense, a hallmark of the current River Plate side under the manager’s guidance.
- In the end, the tally stood at 1-0, a result that kept River’s momentum intact and extended their advantage at the top of the table.
STATISTICS
Source: Goal