The millionaire secured a win despite a match heavily shaped by referee judgments that tipped the balance early and late in the game.
River came back to celebrate a victory, a hot afternoon that buzzed with excess intensity and an outcome driven by Fernando Rapallini’s calls: a millimetre offside ruling, late VAR penalties, and two goals disallowed against the visitors, the last ruled out in the 53rd minute of the second half and potentially denying a draw for Argentinos Juniors.
The day began with the unveiling of Monumental’s new grandstands, expanding capacity beyond 80,000, followed by tributes to world champions and the return of Daniel Passarella. After all the drama of the week, Passarella received little reaction, neither cheers nor loud disapproval—indifference reigned. Yet the match unfolded as the focal point of the afternoon. It was Martín Demichelis’s first home game since coming in as manager, and the challenge to rebound from a previous defeat in Córdoba loomed large. From the outset, River struggled to seize control as Bicho, a team clearly confident in its plan, forced River into defensive trouble with a goal by Verón that was ruled offside after a rebound from Ávalos.
In the ensuing play, River took the lead through a precise free kick finished with a header by Kevin Mac Allister. The team faded as the first half ended, and the start of the second half offered renewed momentum from Barco, though a controversial foul on Enzo Pérez produced a penalty converted by Borja, who was injured shortly after.
With the score level and time running short, River pressed for victory and reclaimed the lead in a two-step sequence, a handball by Barco giving them a clear advantage. Even with opportunities and space, they could not seal the result, and Armani produced a world-class save. In the closing moments, Rapallini, after the line’s insistence, disallowed Herrera’s goal by millimetre offside.
It was a necessary win that should serve as a catalyst for Demichelis to address several deficits in the performance, particularly in defensive coordination that still needs work.
The Binance Professional League Tournament 2023 schedule and results fill the program as expectations rise for the season ahead.
next in GOALthe party’s actions.
RIVER PLATE – ARGENTINES JRS, MINUTE BY MINUTE
- The minute by minute between the Millionaire and the Bug.
- CANCELLED! In the final, Herrera fired a shot that would have made it 2-2, but Rapallini and the line chose not to approve the goal.
- RIVER TARGET! Without the Hummingbird, Barco converted the second penalty of the night to put them ahead 2-1
- RIVER TARGET! Borja ensures the draw for the Millionaire by converting the penalty
- ARGENTINE GOAL! On a day of champions’ tributes, Alexis Mac Allister’s brother headed in the opener for 1-0
- Verón scored for El Bicho, but he was in an offside position when Ávalos finished
- Tributes to champions, a warm reception for Armani, and indifference toward Passarella
- And so goes Bicho de La Paternal
- Demichelis keeps the same lineup despite the Córdoba defeat
- The return of Daniel Passarella becomes the afternoon’s talking point in Núñez
- Good afternoon and welcome to another GOAL broadcast. River Plate faces Argentinos Jrs on date 3 of the Binance 2023 tournament at the Monumental Stadium.
THE TARGET EXAMPLE
HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING
The match between the Millionaire and the Bug is shown in Argentina on ESPN Premium, available only to subscribers of the football package through their cable providers.
ESPN PREMIUM
FORMATIONS
RIVER PLATE
Franco Armani; Andrés Herrera, Jonatan Maidana, Enzo Díaz, Milton Casco; Enzo Pérez, Rodrigo Aliendro, José Paradela, Ignacio Fernández; Pablo Solari, Miguel Borja.
ARGENTINES JRS
Federico Lanzillota; Kevin MacAllister, Miguel Torren, Lucas Villalba, Luciano Sanchez; Thiago Nuss, Franco Moyano, Rodrigo Cabral, Francisco González Metilli; Gabriel Avalos, Gaston Veron. DT: Gabriel Milito.
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