Rodrigo Garro delivered two goals as Talleres stopped River Plate in a tense Córdoba contest, opening the title race with style.
The clash paired the league’s top scorer with the championship leader, promising excitement. The match delivered, drawing praise for Mario Kempes and a strong showing from San Lorenzo, who sit five points behind, while Javier Gandolfi’s Talleres rose to third, seven points off the pace.
Neither side managed to find the net before the break, a testament to the standout performances of Guido Herrera and Franco Armani. The world champion goalkeeper denied Michael Santos, while a one-on-one stop by Herrera prevented Beltrán from opening the scoring, before Nicolás De La Cruz curled a corner to safety.
In the second half, River found no answer to Garro as he converted after a Ramón Sosa run and then struck another from distance with his left foot. Martín Demichelis adjusted on the fly, bringing on Solari and Matías Suárez late, and their fresh energy helped Talleres secure the win in stoppage time with a cross from Solari and a headed finish by Suárez.
River pressed for an equalizer with Borja on target, but the effort fell short. With this result, Talleres increased the suspense around the championship while River held a two-point cushion over the pack, leaving the title race intensely open.
GOALS, VIDEOS AND SUMMARY
- RIVER CUTS THE LEAD! Justo Suárez, formerly of Belgrano, appeals for calm from Kempes and pulls one back shortly after
- PD: Garro from outside the area and from a corner makes it 2-0 for Talleres
- Neither Solari nor Suárez, who entered in the second half, could fashion a comeback
- Ramón Sosa advanced on the right, delivered a center and Garro fired past Armani
- Suárez advanced into the box and sent a difficult ball over the bar
- Late in the first half, Villagra angled a shot narrowly wide
- DLC’s free kick aimed for the corner but Herrera and the bar denied the attempt
- Boat tested from distance and came close to equality
- River lost possession and Herrera saved Beltrán’s shot; Casco cleared promptly
- Back and forth, Herrera and Armani kept the goalkeepers busy, leaving the scoreboard unmoved
- The Sarchers appearance: Herrera replaced González Pírez and Armani mirrored the strong save on a Santos strike
- Controversy in the River area saw a handball appeal rejected after VAR review
- Penalty controversy: a barbed moment decided by VAR, overturning an initial call
- From a shared room to opposite dugouts, the coaches keep a friendly rapport despite the big game
- The atmosphere inside Kempes erupts as the teams emerge and the match intensifies
STATISTICS
Source: Goal