River Plate eliminate Racing Club, Independiente qualify in Copa Libertadores

By
Roy Nemer
-
13
RIVER RACING Libertadores 18 foto MARCELO CARROLL

It was a clash of two Argentine giants as River Plate hosted Racing Club at El Monumental in the Copa Libertadores.

But before that, Independiente were away to Santos in Brazil and the lead up to that match was not without controversy. Just hours before kick off on Tuesday, CONMEBOL stated that last week’s 0-0 draw in Argentina would be turned into a 3-0 victory in favor of Independiente. The reason being that Santos had fielded Carlos SANCHEZ who was ineligible.

The match ended the same way the first leg did (prior to the change of decision) which was a 0-0 draw. It was more than enough to help Independiente reach the quarter finals of South America’s most prestigious club competition.

That night continued to be a good one for Argentine clubs. Atletico Tucuman were away to Atletico Nacional and having picked up a 2-0 victory in Argentina, Tucuman had a bit of a cushion going into the second leg. The nerves kicked in early for the Argentine side with Omar DUARTE scoring in the 12th minute for Nacional. However, goalkeeper Cristian LUCCHETTI was called into action on more than one occasion to help preserve Tucuman’s advantage.

With two Argentine clubs progressing, Estudiantes de la Plata looked to make it three out of three and came so close to doing so, had it not been for an injury time goal by ALISSON. Estudiantes had managed a 2-1 win in La Plata and only a 2-1 win for Gremio would take the match to penalty kicks.

Everon gave the Brazilian team a 1-0 lead just six minutes into the match but an equalizer just three minutes later by Lucas RODRIGUEZ helped ease the tension. It remained 1-1 up until ALISSON’s header beat Argentina international Mariano ANDUJAR.

The match required penalty kicks and Gremio went a perfect five for five while Gaston CAMPI missed for Estudiantes as Gremio qualified for the next round.

A big clash in the Round of 16 was River Plate hosting Racing Club. The first leg finished 0-0 in Avellaneda but the second leg saw three goals and three red cards.

Argentina international Lucas PRATTO scored the opening goal for River Plate in the 11th minute and the 2015 Copa Libertadores winners never looked back. Exequiel PALACIOS made it 2-0 and in the second half Rafael BORRE made it 3-0 to seal the win.

Enzo PEREZ received a red which means he would miss the quarter finals for River Plate while Ricardo CENTURION and Alexis SOTO also saw red.

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13 Comments

  3. RIVER
    Mi buen amigo

    Esta campaña volveremo’ a estar contigo

    Te alentaremos de corazón
    Esta es tu hinchada que te quiere ver campeón

    No me importan esas fotos
    Que saca la federal

    Yo te sigo a todas partes
    Cada vez te quiero mas

    VAMOS RIVER !!!

    Indepetiente it is your turn

    we will live days of 2015 again !!!

    VAMOS RIVER VAMOS A GANAR !!!

  6. And the 1st goal action of River: Montiel – Nacho – Borre – Montiel – Pratto. Great. Good to see our righ back Montiel connecting with forwards like this. He deserves call up just like Palacios.

  8. Little surprised with so high win of River against Racing. River Independiente quartefinal would be great comeptition as well. And they do that without Pity Martinez.
    Palacios of course. But there’s also RB Montiel (assist) of the same U-20 team Palacios was. Both good prospects. Nacho, Pratto do well as always.

  9. Cruzeiro is also in next round thanks to home win 2:0 despite yesterday lost against Flamengo. Hernan Barcos and still promising Lucas Romero started for team from Belo Horizonte. Cruzeiro will play probably Boca next round

  10. Chilean Colo Colo also progressed in Copa Libertadores, having 5 Argentines in starting eleven. They eliminated Corinthians.

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