The clash between River Plate and Defensa y Justicia paused abruptly after tragedy struck the Monumental, ending shortly after the incident. A fan lost their life after a fall from the Sivori Superior to the lower level, bringing the match to an immediate halt and forcing the authorities to reassess the situation before resuming play later. The scene shifted from competition to concern as players and staff processed the shocking news.
For much of the afternoon, the fixture carried the weight of the moment. River Plate found their best moment when Beltrán delivered a dangerous cross, and Nicolás De La Cruz came close with a strong strike that briefly troubled Ezequiel Unsain. Defensa y Justicia responded with grit, aiming to keep possession and disrupt the flow, though Armani was kept vigilant by the visitors’ sharper counters.
As the minutes ticked on, uncertainty grew. When the severity of the incident became clear, the referee Fernando Rapallini consulted with the team captains and coaching staff, and the match was suspended to allow medical teams to assist and to provide space for reflection among everyone present.
The Binance Professional League Tournament schedule for 2023 lists fixtures, dates, and results across the competition, and this match added a powerful and somber moment to the season’s record as both teams paused to acknowledge the tragedy. The event’s gravity outshone football’s competitive narrative for the afternoon, highlighting the sport’s human side beyond the scoreboard.
GOAL provided minute-by-minute updates and analysis, capturing the mood in the stadium and the evolving decisions made by the league officials as the situation unfolded. The focus shifted from tactical charts to safety and solidarity, a reminder that sport remains a platform for emotion and community as much as for athletic achievement.
RIVER PLATE – Defensa y Justicia, THE MATCH IN REVIEW
- Minute-by-minute actions and key moments between the Millionaire and the Falcon.
- MATCH SUSPENDED AT THE MONUMENTAL DUE TO A TRAGIC INCIDENT
- Despite tactical intent, Demichelis’ squad faced challenges maintaining control as Defensa y Justicia pressed forward.
- Evening commentary and live updates as GOAL narrates the events surrounding the fixture, noting the postponement and the emotional impact on players and spectators.
THE EXPLANATION SECTIONS
HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING
The match between River Plate and Defensa y Justicia was broadcast in Argentina via ESPN Premium, available to subscribers with the football package through participating cable providers. The broadcast team provided ongoing coverage, including reaction from players and club officials after the suspension.
ESPN PREMIUM
FORMATION
RIVER PLATE
Franco Armani; Andrés Herrera, Leandro González Pirez, Robert Rojas, Elías Gómez; Rodrigo Aliendro, Agustín Palavecino; Nicolás De La Cruz, Esequiel Barco; Pablo Solari, Lucas Beltrán. DT: Martín Demichelis
DEFENSE AND JUSTICE
Ezequiel Unsain; Agustín Sant’Anna, Julián Malatini, Tomás Cardona, Alexis Soto; Nicolás Tripicchio, Kevin Gutiérrez; Gabriel Alanis, Rodrigo Bogarín, Santiago Solari; Nicolás Fernández. DT: Julio Vaccari.
Source: Goal