River Plate opened with a surprising early strike and rode a solid performance in the second half to secure the first win at the Monumental, showing real cohesion throughout the match.
The Argentine giants faced a demanding test that quickly grew in difficulty: translating their dominant presence in the Professional League Tournament, where they lead by six points, to the Copa Libertadores, the competition that began shakily in La Paz. To pass this exam, the challenge was to recover from an unforeseen early goal by Sporting Cristal.
River Plate of 2023, molded by the German approach of Martín Demichelis, operates like a well-oiled machine. When the lineup is rearranged, the system holds its rhythm. From the fifth minute, the scoreboard showed the process: structure, a precise cross from Enzo Díaz found De La Cruz’s head, and after several attempts Barco fired a shot that Solís could only parry feebly.
Yet the evening produced another hurdle: as the defense pressed forward, Corozo slipped through the center-backs and was clipped by Enzo Díaz, just as he was about to go one-on-one with Armani. A free kick from the edge of the box, a red card for the defender, and a sensational Corozo free kick that caught the Monumental by surprise.
The second half proved utterly decisive. Barco struck early, Pablo Solari produced a creative moment after a fine pass from Enzo Pérez, and Sporting Cristal found little to threaten as the ball moved with confidence around the field. The advantage in the second period was total, and the win felt even bigger given the late moments where the finishing touch eluded them.
The victory served to bury the day’s adversity, reigniting the crowd who once again sang the familiar chant that identifies River Plate with the game and with their team’s spirit.
Copa Libertadores 2023: the competition schedule and broadcast windows
next in GOALthe party’s actions.
RIVER PLATE – SPORTING CRISTAL, MINUTE BY MINUTE
- The minute-by-minute battle between the Millionaire and the Celestial Machine.
- RIVER TARGET! A sumptuous pass from Enzo Pérez and a neat finish from Pablo Solari makes it 4-2
- RIVER TARGET! A rebound sequence ends with Barco converting to put the side ahead again
- SPORTING CRISTAL GOAL! A dangerous moment for River as Corozo wins a foul and fires from the edge, Armani unable to keep it out
- Enzo Díaz is sent off after a tackle on Corozo as he advanced on goal
- RIVER TARGET! Barco’s shot at the near post and Solís can only watch it slip past
- RIVER TARGET! A fast counter ends with Enzo Díaz delivering and De La Cruz finishing with a popping shot
- SPORTING CRISTAL GOAL! A lapse in concentration allows Ignacio to pounce and beat Armani
- Confirmed lineups for River Plate and Sporting Cristal
- Good evening and welcome to another GOAL broadcast. River Plate faces Sporting Cristal in date 2 of the group stage of the 2023 Copa Libertadores at the Monumental.
THE TARGET EXAMPLE
HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING
The match is broadcast in Argentina by Fox Sports. In Colombia, Chile, and the rest of South America it is shown on ESPN. In the United States, it is available through beIN Sports.
For streaming, Star+ carries the action in Mexico and South America.
FORMATIONS
RIVER PLATE
Franco Armani; Milton Casco, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Paulo Diaz, Enzo Diaz; Ignacio Fernández, Enzo Pérez, Nicolás De La Cruz, Esequiel Barco; Lucas Beltran and Salomon Rondon. DT Martín Demichelis
SPORTING CRISTAL
Renato Solís; Carlos Lora, Ignacio Da Silva, Rafael Lutiger, Gianfranco Chavez, Nilson Loyola; Jesus Pretell, Jesus Castillo; Jostin Alarcon, Brenner, Washington Corozo.
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